(v. t.) To reduce to the smallest degree possible; to represent as unimportant; as, to minimize a problem\.

abbreviate abridge bedwarf belittle bring down bring into discredit bring low cry down curtail cut down de-emphasize debase decrease decry degrade deprecate depreciate derogate derogate from detract from devaluate devalue diminish disapprove of discount discredit disgrace disparage dispraise downplay dwarf hold in contempt knock lessen make light of make little of make nothing of minify misestimate misprize play down prune put down reduce reflect discredit upon run down sell short set at naught set little by shorten shrink shrug off slight speak ill of submit to indignity talk down think little of think nothing of underestimate underplay underprize underrate underreckon undervalue