minimize

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To make (something) smaller or as small as possible

   To make (something) smaller or as small as possible; shrink; reduce.

   • We have to minimize the budget.
   • Try to minimize your biases.
2. 2

   To relegate or assign (something) to a less insignificant status

   To relegate or assign (something) to a less insignificant status; diminish.

   • The insurance adjuster tried to minimize the extent of the damage to lessen the company's exposure to liability.
3. 3

   To remove (a window) from the main display area, collapsing it to an icon or caption.

   • I didn't close anything, but I minimized all the windows so I could see the desktop.
4. ›+ 2 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To treat (someone) in a slighting manner.

      • […] father who had never openly minimized him or anything he did […]
   2. 5

      To treat as trivial or insignificant

      To treat as trivial or insignificant; to trivialize.

      • to minimize someone's feelings

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