economize

verb

econ·​o·​mize i-ˈkä-nə-ˌmīz How to pronounce economize (audio)
economized; economizing

intransitive verb

: to practice economy : be frugal

transitive verb

: to use frugally : save
economizer noun

Examples of economize in a Sentence

He was born into a wealthy family and never learned to economize. in tough times people learn how to economize
Recent Examples on the Web Loud budgeting often involves sticking to a spending plan while seeking ways to economize. The Arizona Republic, 3 Mar. 2024 Or will a string of underperforming blockbusters eventually force Apple to economize? Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 5 Feb. 2024 The system charges during off-peak hours and uses what’s stored in the batteries at peak times, thereby economizing on electricity rates. Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 Expanding the scale of the operation helped our entrepreneurial diggers economize on the costlier input. Alexander William Salter, National Review, 12 Feb. 2024 Besides holding out for even more attractive bargains later into the season, people will also economize by cutting back on gifts to close family and friends. Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023 Fifteen of its 16 rooms accommodate five people in three beds, and all have efficiency kitchens with free coffee to help guests economize on meals. Elaine Glusac, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2023 This economizing ethos has forced adjustments big and small: Features are filming less in Los Angeles or New York; some crews are working shorter days and longer weeks; mid-budget affairs are becoming tougher to greenlight. Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Apr. 2023 Also troubling is that signals suggest consumers now expect prices to keep rising — expectations that can hurt economic growth as people look to economize and trim their spending. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'economize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

economy entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of economize was in 1780

Dictionary Entries Near economize

Cite this Entry

“Economize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/economize. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

economize

verb
econ·​o·​mize i-ˈkän-ə-ˌmīz How to pronounce economize (audio)
economized; economizing
1
: to practice economy : be thrifty
economize on fuel
2
: to use less of : save
economize fuel
economizer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on economize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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