Synonyms of downplay

downplay

verb

ˈdau̇n-ˌplā 

as in to minimize

to reduce in apparent importance

he self-deprecatingly downplays his own contributions to the festival's success

Synonyms & Similar Words

• minimize
• dismiss
• soft-pedal
• de-emphasize
• play down
• understate
• underplay
• denigrate
• disparage
• belittle
• derogate
• decry
• deprecate
• bad-mouth
• depreciate
• run down
• talk down
• cry down
• kiss off
• trash-talk
• poor-mouth
• trash
• put down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exaggerate
• overstate
• overdo
• elaborate
• pad
• magnify
• stretch
• embellish
• overdraw
• embroider
• overemphasize
• hedge
• sensationalize
• overplay
• fudge
• melodramatize

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of downplay

Reports of their interest in Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa have been downplayed. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Aug. 2026

Harbaugh, who said a few days ago that the Giants don’t want penalties, tried to downplay the sloppiness of the practice due to the excitement of being in pads. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026

Journalists fought back Struggling to compete, newspapers in the 1960s and ’70s could have easily downplayed Agnew’s criticisms of a rival medium. — Heather Hendershot, The Conversation, 31 July 2026

While some customers on Friday jokingly referred to the doughnut wars, both the Randy’s and Stan’s owners downplayed that prospect. — Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 31 July 2026