Minimize (verb)

1. To reduce something to the smallest possible size, amount, or degree.
2. To make something seem as unimportant as possible.

Origin:

Late 16th century (in the sense "represent as small, reduce in importance"): from medieval latin minimizare, from latin minimus (see minimum).

Examples:

1. The company has taken steps to minimize its carbon footprint.
2. The city is working to minimize the impact of the construction on residents.
3. She tried to minimize the damage to the car before taking it to the mechanic.
4. The government has promised to minimize the tax burden on the poor.
5. The designer worked to minimize the size of the product while still retaining all its features.