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
Billboard's 2024 data showed women being de-emphasized again, achieving just 8.39% of country radio airplay overall.
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Marcus K. Dowling, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
However, the genre's pop cultural crossover has drastically shifted to where 2024 Billboard data shows women have been de-emphasized again, now achieving 8.39% of country radio airplay overall.
—Marcus K. Dowling, Nashville Tennessean, 8 Sep. 2025
Critics argue that the Dalai Lama’s middle way, which prioritizes dialogue and reconciliation while de-emphasizing mass mobilization, has kept the movement from reaching its full potential and leveraging its explosive strength in the struggle against Beijing.
—Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Marcus K. Dowling, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
However, the genre's pop cultural crossover has drastically shifted to where 2024 Billboard data shows women have been de-emphasized again, now achieving 8.39% of country radio airplay overall.
—Marcus K. Dowling, Nashville Tennessean, 8 Sep. 2025
Critics argue that the Dalai Lama’s middle way, which prioritizes dialogue and reconciliation while de-emphasizing mass mobilization, has kept the movement from reaching its full potential and leveraging its explosive strength in the struggle against Beijing.
—Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-emphasize
Verb
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Act quickly to keep the stain from setting and to minimize the damage.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 Nov. 2025
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Advanced hull geometry, radar-absorbing coatings, and an electronic degaussing system minimize magnetic and electric signatures.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In a separate interview with CNN on Wednesday, Luntz also downplayed inflation as an election issue and drew a distinction with affordability.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
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One military leader did not name Bahonar but criticized officials who downplay the importance of the hijab mandate.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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On Wednesday, in documents obtained by Rolling Stone, a California superior court judge overseeing the lawsuit ruled in favor of Kardashian and the anti-SLAPP motion, effectively dismissing the other Cantu’s lawsuit, though the judge left open the possibility of an appeal.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
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This company’s approach to pest control begins with a philosophy that dismisses the business-as-usual assumptions.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In fact, several of the investigators believed the shooting was intentional, and that the Biden administration had actually soft-pedaled the investigation’s findings to appease Israel.—
Scott Griffen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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On the other hand, the idea of being Colorado sober soft-pedals the potentially addictive effects of cannabis and psychedelics, said Alton P. Dillard II, a media consultant for the One Chance to Grow Up nonprofit.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“De-emphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-emphasize. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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