de-emphasize

verb

de-em·​pha·​size (ˌ)dē-ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsīz 

de-emphasized; de-emphasizing; de-emphasizes

transitive verb

: to reduce in relative importance

also : play down

de-emphasis

(ˌ)dē-ˈem(p)-fə-səs 

noun

Synonyms of de-emphasize

• minimize
• downplay
• dismiss
• soft-pedal

Examples of de-emphasize in a Sentence

you're at a point in your career where you can de-emphasize your academic record and emphasize your work experience

Recent Examples on the Web

Old-line liberals have blasted the democratic socialist for de-emphasizing a police presence in favor of volunteers and contract workers armed with little more than overdose kits, notepads and phone numbers. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026

The Giants also appear to be de-emphasizing Dart as a runner to keep him healthy, which could lead to him getting a higher volume of passing attempts in Week 15. —Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 14 Dec. 2025

Cyberlink de-emphasizes the automatic, easy movie project tools, instead focusing on serious full-power video editing. —PC Magazine, 15 Nov. 2025

The changes have included an overhaul of Google’s ubiquitous search engine that has de-emphasized a listing of relevant web links in its results and increasingly highlighted AI overviews and conversational responses provided through an AI mode. —Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for de-emphasize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize