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de-emphasize

verb

(ˌ)dē-ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsīz How to pronounce de-emphasize (audio)
Definition of de-emphasizenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of de-emphasize Just as some young workers must be redirected from the firms that are de-emphasizing entry-level work, small business owners need to invest in training them. — Revana Sharfuddin, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026 At the very least, players and parents feel the university is de-emphasizing its support for lacrosse. — Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 27 May 2026 Along with his predecessor Pam Bondi, Blanche oversaw a Justice Department that radically de-emphasized the prosecution of white-collar crimes, like the kind the Kaplan twins were convicted of. — Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 26 May 2026 However, Sempra is in the process of de-emphasizing its LNG investments. — Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-emphasize
  1. minimize
  2. downplay
  3. dismiss
  4. soft-pedal
Verb
  • The 49ers have played from ahead in each of their three games, minimizing obvious passing situations and third-and-longs.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Those challenges include performing nonlinear operations, incorporating memory, maintaining computational precision, minimizing optical losses and integrating photonic components with conventional electronics.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of minimize
Verb
  • Players often downplay symptoms to stay on the field—and many signs of brain trauma, such as headaches, memory problems and fatigue, are easy to hide.
    — Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Jones downplayed the significance of Hamilton's familiarity with Kennesaw State's coaching staff when asked on Tuesday.
    — Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of downplay
Verb
  • The complaint escalates the department’s battle with the federal judiciary, which has halted administration priorities, dismissed high-profile prosecutions and accused government lawyers in some cases of failing to comply with court orders.
    — Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The state did not seek to dismiss allegations related to Morrissey’s statements to the media or to her agreement to log a cache of bullets under a separate case number, functionally hiding them from the defense.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of dismiss
Verb
  • Its screenplay, which Dolan hatched in collaboration with three others, tries to soft-pedal predictable beats that nonetheless end up the only ones getting beaten.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
  • But Paddy’s isn’t Sudz, and the Gang’s efforts to soft-pedal their antics to be more in line with those mainstream bars devolved into typical Sunny-style hostility and off-putting grossness.
    — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
Definition of soft-pedal

Browse Nearby Words

de-emphasis
de-emphasize
de-emphasized
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Cite this Entry

“De-emphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-emphasize. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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