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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Recent Examples of downplay
Some in Israel accuse United Nations observers and human rights groups of downplaying the issue.
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Matt Bradley, NBC news, 14 May 2026
As Starlink gains traction as a potential disruptor to traditional ISPs, Verizon’s CEO is downplaying the threat, predicting that satellite rivals SpaceX and Amazon will remain niche internet providers in the US.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 14 May 2026
In producing scientific news stories, science journalists engage in framing, choosing what to emphasize, and/or downplay in the coverage of an issue or how to arrange and present the story to the public.
—Prodromos Yannas, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 May 2026
During proceedings, prosecutors downplayed testimony from three former Google executives who said Google’s investment in GoTo was unrelated to the Indonesian government’s decision to procure Chromebooks for schools.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for downplay
Matt Bradley, NBC news, 14 May 2026
As Starlink gains traction as a potential disruptor to traditional ISPs, Verizon’s CEO is downplaying the threat, predicting that satellite rivals SpaceX and Amazon will remain niche internet providers in the US.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 14 May 2026
In producing scientific news stories, science journalists engage in framing, choosing what to emphasize, and/or downplay in the coverage of an issue or how to arrange and present the story to the public.
—Prodromos Yannas, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 May 2026
During proceedings, prosecutors downplayed testimony from three former Google executives who said Google’s investment in GoTo was unrelated to the Indonesian government’s decision to procure Chromebooks for schools.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for downplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplay
Verb
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But despite assurances that the impact on businesses has been minimized, some groups still worried that the AI bill — despite its sections on workforce development and increasing AI knowledge — will ultimately create new burdens for businesses that could hamper innovation efforts.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
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While Peters’ doctor had minimized the possibility of measles, the principal was concerned.—
Mary Beth Sheridan,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
Verb
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The court recommended that the petition be dismissed, and that the organizations be given one month to submit the employee lists.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
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Even the foundations of today’s artificial intelligence boom were laid by the NSF in the 1980s and 1990s, when neural networks were a backwater dismissed by mainstream computer science.—
Gautam Mukunda,
Twin Cities,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Old school with a gift for storytelling, Simon was not one to soft-pedal his mentees.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
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This loud-and-proud version of Sonny certainly feels progressive, but in a different way it soft-pedals Sonny’s complications.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplay. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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