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 decision to further de-emphasize her personal life in season two might be appropriate, but the show ends up lacking narrative salt, fat, acid, and heat—even with Samin Nosrat as a special guest.
—
Raven Smith, Vogue, 27 Aug. 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
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
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Raven Smith, Vogue, 27 Aug. 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
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
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-emphasize
Verb
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SpaceX took steps to minimize the chances that the problem would recur on Flight 8.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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The Brooke High Rise Straight, a narrow straight leg, is finished with laser technology to minimize water usage.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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City leaders are downplaying speculation about a potential serial killer, but retired NYPD Sgt.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
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Critics contend that the administration’s aim is to present a sanitized version of history, downplaying bitter episodes, including racial oppression and sexism.—
Megan O’Matz,
ProPublica,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And Tucker Carlson has gained attention with his own programming distributed via social and digital media, Their audiences can be smaller and more disparate than the ones that come to mainstream news outlets, but in an era of cord-cutting, their niche power is not to be dismissed.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
9 Oct. 2025
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In February, following a SAG Award win for her breakout role in Shōgun, Anna Sawai dismissed rumors that she had been cast as Yoko Ono for the film series.—
Sophie Williams,
Billboard,
9 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 16 Oct. 2025.
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