WordWeb Online

1. Make small or insignificant
   "Let's minimize the risk";
   - minimise [Brit]
    
2. Represent as less significant or important
   "Again the raw growth numbers minimize the gain in economic well-being";
   - understate, minimise [Brit], downplay
    
3. Cause to seem less serious; play down
   "Don't minimize his influence";
   - belittle, denigrate, derogate, minimise [Brit]
    
4. (computing) cause a window to show on screen as a small icon (without closing the program)

Derived forms: minimized, minimizes, minimizing

Type of: belittle, decrease, disparage, inform, lessen, minify, pick at

Antonym: maximise [Brit]

Encyclopedia: Minimize