de-emphasize

verb

de-em·​pha·​size (ˌ)dē-ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsīz How to pronounce de-emphasize (audio)
de-emphasized; de-emphasizing; de-emphasizes
Synonyms of de-emphasizenext

transitive verb

: to reduce in relative importance
also : play down
de-emphasis noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 The base Microsoft 365 subscription itself has become increasingly essential as Microsoft de-emphasizes standalone Office purchases and makes cloud integration more central to document workflows. Kevin Williams, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of de-emphasize was in 1938

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Cite this Entry

“De-emphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/de-emphasize. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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