as in to minimize
to reduce in apparent importance
you're at a point in your career where you can de-emphasize your academic record and emphasize your work experience
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Recent Examples of de-emphasize
The mountain of evidence backing the health perks of the Mediterranean diet—one that highlights plant foods and fish, and de-emphasizes red and processed meats—just grew again.
—
Erica Sloan, SELF, 25 Aug. 2025
In recent months, Max has also de-emphasized its family and kids programming.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 9 July 2025
Julie Bogart, homeschooling advocate and author of The Brave Learner, says the method de-emphasizes the importance of curriculum.
—Taylor Grothe, Parents, 9 July 2025
Nonetheless, teachers can face pressures to downplay or de-emphasize evolution, says Miller.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Erica Sloan, SELF, 25 Aug. 2025
In recent months, Max has also de-emphasized its family and kids programming.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 9 July 2025
Julie Bogart, homeschooling advocate and author of The Brave Learner, says the method de-emphasizes the importance of curriculum.
—Taylor Grothe, Parents, 9 July 2025
Nonetheless, teachers can face pressures to downplay or de-emphasize evolution, says Miller.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-emphasize
Verb
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Your advisor may also recommend tax strategies, based on your financial goals, to help minimize your yearly and lifetime tax liability.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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At the time, Lee minimizes the bombshell by way of embellishment.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Clooney also lends clarity on his decision to write a gutsy New York Times op-ed piece urging Joe Biden to not seek reelection, after Clooney set up a lucrative fundraiser for the incumbent and observed close up the decline in mental acuity that other Democrats were downplaying.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
2 Oct. 2025
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However, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence downplayed the shift in the latest assessment, emphasizing at the time that the overall conclusions had not changed.—
Nora Gamez Torres,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Seven of those charged previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and prosecutors moved to dismiss their felony counts.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
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Olguin dismissed the case in 2022 after finding Elden’s claims were time-barred without addressing the substance of his allegations.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Translation: compliance burdens are rising, even if the U.S. is soft-pedaling near-term enforcement.—
Pam Kaur,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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Nothing grates quite like those slick pharmaceutical ads blaring across the TV, promising quick fixes while soft-pedaling potential side effects.—
Alex Ward,
Boston Herald,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“De-emphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-emphasize. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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