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 delivery is automated and the process is de-emphasized, but the outcome is closer to what the client is truly searching for.
—
Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
Electric vehicles drew attention but were slighty de-emphasized at this year's Milwaukee Auto Show.
—Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025
Hill is shifting Nike back to sports, a priority that was de-emphasized under its former CEO.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
Cursive has been out of vogue for 15 years, after schools began adopting a Common Core curriculum, which de-emphasized the writing style.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
Electric vehicles drew attention but were slighty de-emphasized at this year's Milwaukee Auto Show.
—Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025
Hill is shifting Nike back to sports, a priority that was de-emphasized under its former CEO.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
Cursive has been out of vogue for 15 years, after schools began adopting a Common Core curriculum, which de-emphasized the writing style.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-emphasize
Verb
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Comfort: cycling infrastructure should allow for comfortable maneuvering and minimize the use of (precious) human energy.—
Carlton Reid,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Many native grasses and wildflowers have extensive root systems that grow deep and wide, helping minimize runoff and prevent erosion.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Peskov downplayed the significance of Trump's move, noting that American submarines are routinely on combat duty.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Aug. 2025
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Powell downplayed the significance of the dissents during a Wednesday press conference, praising Fed Vice Chair of Supervision Michelle Bowman and board member Christopher Waller, both Trump appointees, for laying out clear cases for their decisions.—
Kristina Karisch,
The Hill,
31 July 2025
Verb
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The woman also filed a petition for an injunction in 2016, and the case was dismissed six months later.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Aug. 2025
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The proceedings were dismissed in early 2024 due to inactivity.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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
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This soft-pedalling impulse is evident in the revival’s treatment of Hank’s next-door neighbor Dale, a conspiracy nut who blames the U.N., the U.S. military, and the Cuban government for life’s inconveniences.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“De-emphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-emphasize. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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