maximize
MAK-suh-mize
/ˈmæk.sɪ.maɪz/
To increase or make as large or great as possible.
In moral philosophy and economics, it means optimizing total quantitative yield, such as happiness, profit, or life expectancy.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'maximus' (superlative of 'magnus', great). The verb was coined around 1800 within Jeremy Bentham's philosophical circle specifically to articulate the utilitarian rule of maximizing pleasure.
Word relationships
- optimize: Optimize means making something as effective or balanced as possible, whereas maximize strictly means making it as large in quantity as possible.
- minimize: To reduce to the smallest possible amount or degree.
Commonly confused with
- magnify: Magnify means to make an image or perception appear larger; maximize means to actually expand a quantity to its highest limit.
Word family
- maximum (noun): The greatest possible amount or degree
- maximization (noun): The process of making something as large as possible
Collocations
- maximize utility
- maximize profits
- maximize efficiency
- maximize well-being
Example sentences
- "Utilitarian moral theory mandates that policy decisions maximize net overall welfare across the population." Utilitarian Theory
Memory hook
MAX-imize = take it to the MAX! Push to the absolute upper limit.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'optimize' when looking for a balanced trade-off rather than pushing a specific total to its upper limit.
Fun facts
- Jeremy Bentham coined 'maximize', 'minimize', and 'international' because existing English lacked precise terms for his quantitative moral framework!
Related words
Explore more words
optimize, optimization, utilitarianism, intensify, utilitarian, efficiency
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