Minimize vs Degrade - What's the difference?

As verbs the difference between minimize and degrade

is that minimize is to make (something) as small or as insignificant as possible while degrade is .

* (l) (non-Oxford British spelling)

(minimiz)

To make (something) as small or as insignificant as possible.

(computing, transitive, graphical user interface) To remove (a window) from the main display area, collapsing it to an icon or caption.

I didn't close anything, but I minimized all the windows so I could see the desktop.

(degrad)

To lower in value or social position.

Fred degrades himself by his behaviour.

* Palfrey

Prynne was sentenced by the Star Chamber Court to be degraded from the bar.

To reduce in quality or purity.

The DNA sample has degraded .

(geology) To reduce in altitude or magnitude, as hills and mountains; to wear down.

* degradation