subsidize

verb

sub·​si·​dize ˈsəb-sə-ˌdīz 

-zə-

subsidized; subsidizing

transitive verb

: to furnish with a subsidy: such as

a

: to purchase the assistance of by payment of a subsidy

b

: to aid or promote (someone or something, such as a private enterprise) with public money

subsidize soybean farmers

subsidize public transportation

subsidization

ˌsəb-sə-də-ˈzā-shən 

-zə-

noun

subsidizer noun

Synonyms of subsidize

• fund
• finance

Examples of subsidize in a Sentence

The state subsidizes housing for low-income families.

She feels that private businesses should not be subsidized by taxpayers.

The company subsidizes health insurance for its employees.

Recent Examples on the Web

Much of that sum—$250 million—comes from his contract with the Saudi Pro League’s Al Nassr, which is believed to be subsidized by commercial agreements orchestrated by the club. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2026

A lot of the internet is free because brands subsidize it through advertising. — Andrew Higgins, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

His work as a reporter, which subsidizes his writing career, has taken him to Afghanistan, Bosnia, Ukraine, Kosovo, and most recently, Kuwait, for an upcoming magazine story about drones and the war in Iran. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026

The state’s leaders believed subsidized higher education would serve the greater good and seed economic growth. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1755, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subsidize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

subsidize

verb

sub·​si·​dize ˈsəb-sə-ˌdīz 

-zə-

subsidized; subsidizing

: to aid or furnish with a subsidy

subsidization

ˌsəb-səd-ə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌsəb-zəd-

noun

subsidizer noun