(BrE also minimise) verb [VN]
1 to reduce sth, especially sth bad, to the lowest possible level:
Good hygiene helps to minimize the risk of infection. * Costs were minimized by using plastic instead of leather.
OPPMAXIMIZE
2 to try to make sth seem less important than it really is
SYNPLAYDOWN:
He always tried to minimize his own faults, while exaggerating those of others.
3 to make sth small, especially on a computer screen:
Minimize any windows you have open.
OPPMAXIMIZE
