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
Starmer replied to these accusations, downplaying them.
—
Callum Sutherland, Time, 8 May 2025
Critics also argued that Kate's looks not only often pay homage to the legacies of Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth but also serve as an important tool for connecting with the public, which should not be downplayed.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 8 May 2025
However, their skills were often downplayed by claims that they’d been signed to generate ticket sales and boost interest in the struggling league.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 8 May 2025
Trump on Tuesday, though, downplayed the need for deals with foreign trading partners, which Bessent also defended in the interview.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for downplay
Callum Sutherland, Time, 8 May 2025
Critics also argued that Kate's looks not only often pay homage to the legacies of Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth but also serve as an important tool for connecting with the public, which should not be downplayed.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 8 May 2025
However, their skills were often downplayed by claims that they’d been signed to generate ticket sales and boost interest in the struggling league.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 8 May 2025
Trump on Tuesday, though, downplayed the need for deals with foreign trading partners, which Bessent also defended in the interview.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for downplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplay
Verb
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Home cooks are often advised to chill their onions before cutting them to minimize crying.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
20 May 2025
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Effective targeting minimizes waste and builds consumer loyalty.—
Ray Lansigan,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Verb
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The charges were dismissed because West’s cause of death was not determined, and some evidence had been illegally obtained. (Netflix) Lewis was convicted of six counts of mail fraud in a 1981 credit card scheme in Kansas City.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2025
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Baldwin — who denied pulling the trigger — was also put on trial for involuntary manslaughter last July, but the case was dismissed after the judge learned that prosecutors had withheld evidence from the defense.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
24 May 2025
Verb
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In 2024, Paul Weiss didn’t soft-pedal its liberal leanings.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2025
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Goldberg Tuesday scoffed at the denials and efforts to soft-pedal the extent and potential danger of the breach.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplay. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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