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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Persons trying to economize by driving older, smaller model automobiles that usually get good gasoline mileage are having to pay higher personal property taxes for the vehicles in 1975. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 22 Feb. 2025 All four of them sewed—my mother and her sister-in-law, to economize on dresses for themselves and their daughters. Megan Marshall, The New Yorker, 8 Feb. 2025 Hotels and airlines are increasingly catering to high-dollar customers, who’ve been expanding their holiday travel plans while lower-income ones economize. J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 5 Dec. 2024 Healthcare providers can consider investing in the development of new, high-value treatments and technological approaches that improve outcomes while economizing on long-term costs, such as innovative practices that use minimally invasive surgical strategies. Shakeel Ahmed, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for economize

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Economize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/economize. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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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