downplay

verb

down·​play ˈdau̇n-ˌplā 

downplayed; downplaying; downplays

transitive verb

: play down, de-emphasize

Synonyms

• 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

Just days before three Republican governors deployed National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., Gov. Mike Kehoe downplayed the possibility of Missouri joining President Donald Trump’s sweeping anti-crime crackdown in the nation’s capital. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2025

In response, Trump and the White House started downplaying Friday’s summit, Trump and Putin’s first of Trump’s second administration, as an opportunity for Trump to ascertain whether peace between Russia and Ukraine is even possible, as opposed to negotiating a deal. —Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2025

Throughout the war, state-run media have aggrandized Russian wins on the battlefield, while downplaying or ignoring news to the contrary. —Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2025

Leavitt's wording downplays the chances of a breakthrough on a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for downplay

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