as in to minimize
to reduce in apparent importance
he self-deprecatingly downplays his own contributions to the festival's success
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of downplay
Report concerns to your health care provider After disasters, people tend to downplay their own issues out of concern for others, Lewandowski said.
—
Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Following the meeting, Bowser and Smith briefed reporters, stressing the collaborative working relationship amid the federal takeover of the MPD and downplaying any drastic changes to police operations throughout the city.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2025
In a recent exchange on X, formerly Twitter, the Grammy-winning artist responded to a fan who appeared to downplay her lyricism in favor of her pop-leaning hits.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Though the White House and Kyiv have voiced openness to three-way talks over the conflict, the Kremlin downplayed that possibility.
—semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downplay
Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Following the meeting, Bowser and Smith briefed reporters, stressing the collaborative working relationship amid the federal takeover of the MPD and downplaying any drastic changes to police operations throughout the city.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2025
In a recent exchange on X, formerly Twitter, the Grammy-winning artist responded to a fan who appeared to downplay her lyricism in favor of her pop-leaning hits.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Though the White House and Kyiv have voiced openness to three-way talks over the conflict, the Kremlin downplayed that possibility.
—semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplay
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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Boston Magazine reported that during her training she was ultimately dismissed for administering opiates without a doctor’s order and leaving her shift early.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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Bond's attorneys filed a lawsuit against the unnamed accuser, and the suit was ultimately dismissed.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
15 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
“Downplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplay. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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