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

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 The Vance approach de-emphasizes peoples' roles as consumers, as opposed to workers. Neil Irwin, Axios, 17 July 2024 Diamond bought the theater only a couple of years before the pandemic, and was already looking to de-emphasize the movie screen part of the business in favor of a new-style entertainment complex with a bar and a massive fleet of redemption-style arcade games. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2024 But quietly, other universities have reinstated SAT requirements just a few years after joining the national wave to de-emphasize the test’s importance. Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 4 June 2024 Ever since Democrats won control of the Legislature in 2018, progressive lawmakers, criminal justice reform advocates, and even district attorneys have teamed up to de-emphasize policing, prosecution and prison as frontline answers to social problems and minor offenses. Ron Kuby, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for de-emphasize 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'de-emphasize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near de-emphasize

Cite this Entry

“De-emphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/de-emphasize. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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