downplay

verb

down·​play ˈdau̇n-ˌplā 

downplayed; downplaying; downplays

transitive verb

: play down, de-emphasize

Synonyms of downplay

• minimize
• dismiss
• soft-pedal

Examples of downplay in a Sentence

Athletes often downplay their injuries.

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Nattie could have danced around the naked locker room story and downplayed it. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

He was called to testify as a witness at Rubiales’ criminal trial in February 2025, where prosecutors sought jail time over the kiss and alleged efforts to pressure Hermoso into downplaying it. — Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

The automobile industry downplayed the dangerous designs of vehicles and pointed to unsafe drivers instead. — Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

On top of that, Saka downplayed all the criticisms of Tuchel coming into Saturday’s match. — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for downplay

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway