1
as in to dismiss
to express scornfully one's low opinion of
out of sheer envy, she would always play down her sister's accomplishments
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to minimize
to reduce in apparent importance
if you play down your part in the project, you won't get the credit you deserve
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of play down
The really big comedians will usually play down the block at the historic Orpheum Theater, which also features musical acts and kids’ shows as well.
—
Peter Cameron, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Proud of our players for making plays down the stretch in critical situations.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2025
While primarily utilized as a winger during his career, Dembélé often played down the middle for Luis Enrique’s side, spearheading a fluent and formidable front three, flanked by the dynamic Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
—David Close, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
After a week of playing down to – and then slightly lower than – their last-place opponents, the Dodgers completed a three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies with a 9-0 victory on Wednesday night.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play down
Peter Cameron, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Proud of our players for making plays down the stretch in critical situations.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2025
While primarily utilized as a winger during his career, Dembélé often played down the middle for Luis Enrique’s side, spearheading a fluent and formidable front three, flanked by the dynamic Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
—David Close, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
After a week of playing down to – and then slightly lower than – their last-place opponents, the Dodgers completed a three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies with a 9-0 victory on Wednesday night.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play down
Verb
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On Wednesday, in documents obtained by Rolling Stone, a California superior court judge overseeing the lawsuit ruled in favor of Kardashian and the anti-SLAPP motion, effectively dismissing the other Cantu’s lawsuit, though the judge left open the possibility of an appeal.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
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This company’s approach to pest control begins with a philosophy that dismisses the business-as-usual assumptions.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Like machines, most companies are designed to create efficient, predictable outcomes; minimize risk; and eliminate variation.—
Jana Werner,
Harvard Business Review,
5 Nov. 2025
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The medication contains a small amount of radioactive material, which means it must be handled carefully to minimize radiation exposure.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Armed police officers were seen running down the platform at the station, evacuating passengers while looking to neutralize any ongoing threat, British news agency PA Media reported.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
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The Rams got down to the 15-yard line with 35 seconds left and let the clock run down for Wilkins to kick a game-tying field goal.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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However, the Russian leader has tried to downplay the impact of the sanctions.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Oct. 2025
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Russ Anderson also failed to challenge the bank’s incentive compensation program, failed to institute effective controls and repeatedly downplayed sales practices misconduct, Hsu previously said.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Never met someone successful ever talking down to someone online.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
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Johnson’s Trump was quick to talk down on the prolific late-night sketch show.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Translation: compliance burdens are rising, even if the U.S. is soft-pedaling near-term enforcement.—
Pam Kaur,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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Nothing grates quite like those slick pharmaceutical ads blaring across the TV, promising quick fixes while soft-pedaling potential side effects.—
Alex Ward,
Boston Herald,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In the end, the power of the Cheney name was greatly diminished in GOP politics.—
Don Gonyea,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
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The business community is bracing to wake up Wednesday reminded of their diminishing power in their own backyard.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The team says the process could one day help restore farmland, wetlands, and industrial zones that have long been written off as too contaminated to recover.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
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Most of the media, though not all, wrote off the lab-leak theory, for instance.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20down. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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