minimize

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   make small or insignificant

   Let's minimize the risk

2. 2
   verb

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

   We have to minimize the budget.

3. 3
   verb

   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.

4. 4
   verb

   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.

5. 5
   verb

   To treat (someone) in a slighting manner.

   […] father who had never openly minimized him or anything he did […]

6. 6
   verb

   To treat as trivial or insignificant; to trivialize.

   to minimize someone's feelings

7. 7
   verb

   represent as less significant or important

8. 8
   verb

   cause to seem less serious

Etymology

From Latin minimus + -ize.