max ‧ i ‧ mize AC BrE AmE ( also maximise British English ) /ˈmæksəmaɪz, ˈmæksɪmaɪz/ verb [transitive]
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ maximize ; noun : ↑ maximization ]
1 . to increase something such as profit or income as much as possible OPP minimize
maximize profit/revenue etc
The company’s main function is to maximize profit.
2 . to ↑ click on a special part on a window on a computer screen so that it becomes as big as the screen OPP minimize
3 . to use something in a way that gives you the greatest practical value or the best results:
We need to maximize the space.
maximize opportunities/chances etc
The career center will help you maximize your opportunities.
—maximization /ˌmæksəmaɪˈzeɪʃ ə n, ˌmæksɪmaɪˈzeɪʃ ə n $ -səmə-/ noun [uncountable]
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THESAURUS
■ to make something increase
▪ increase to make something larger in number, amount, or degree:
Being overweight increases the risk of having a heart attack.
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We need to increase the number of police officers on the streets.
▪ put something up to increase prices, taxes etc. Put up something is less formal than increase , and is the usual verb to use in everyday English:
The landlord has put the rent up again.
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They’re always putting up gas prices.
▪ raise to increase something such as prices or taxes, or levels or standards:
The bank has raised interest rates for the third time this year.
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The school aims to raise students’ levels of achievement.
▪ double/triple to increase the amount of something so that it is twice or three times as large:
The airline plans to double the number of passengers it carries by 2015.
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High blood pressure triples the risk of strokes.
▪ boost to increase sales, profits, production etc, especially when they have been lower than you want them to be:
Growing affluence has boosted sales.
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Oil exports boosted the economy.
▪ expand to increase something so that it contains a wider range of things, or to increase the size of a business:
The company plans to expand its retail operations.
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Supermarkets have expanded their ranges to include non-food items.
▪ extend to increase something such as your power or influence, or the number of things you are involved in:
We are hoping to extend the range of services that we offer.
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The company plans to extend its dominance of the world car market.
▪ step up something to increase your efforts or activities, especially to change a situation:
Security has been stepped up following the bombing.
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Local people have stepped up their campaign to prevent a prison being built in their neighbourhood.
▪ heighten to increase a feeling or effect:
The attack has heightened concerns about racism in schools.
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Hunger can heighten the effect that alcohol has on you.
▪ maximize to increase something as much as possible:
Businesses try to maximize efficiency and cut costs.
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To maximize the chances of a successful pregnancy, you should make sure that you eat well.