You searched for: “minimize
diminish, minimize
diminish (di MIN ish) (verb)
To make less or small; for example, authority or distance: The small stature of the manager seemed to diminish her authority.

The trains went quickly across the country, seeming to diminish the size of the territory by their speed.

minimize (MIN uh mighz") (verb)
To disparage or to reduce to the smallest possible size: Chuck's radical speech attempted to minimize the importance of the celebration.

Elvira's efforts to minimize the importance of the discovery served only to diminish her stature as a government official.

minimize (verb), minimizes; minimized; minimizing
1. To lower or reduce something unwanted or objectionable to the least amount or degree: Jim's company is striving to minimize costs as much as feasible.
2. To treat or to describe something as less important than it is: During the interview for a job, Sharon minimized her weaknesses and emphasized her strengths and experiences.
This entry is located in the following units: -ize (page 7) mini-, minor-, minut-, minu-, min- (page 3)