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
Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz sought to downplay the tension in a March 31 social media post that asserted that Patriot missile batteries in Poland that are used to protect NATO's eastern flank are staying put.
—
Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
When asked about it upon re-entry to the locker room, Bane explained why the request was made and downplayed the seriousness of the conversation.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Trump has repeatedly downplayed the economic pressure the war has placed on Americans, including rising gas prices, arguing that the short-term financial strain is necessary for national security.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Mottola has previously acknowledged an association with Epstein but drastically downplayed the depth of their relationship.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downplay
Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
When asked about it upon re-entry to the locker room, Bane explained why the request was made and downplayed the seriousness of the conversation.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Trump has repeatedly downplayed the economic pressure the war has placed on Americans, including rising gas prices, arguing that the short-term financial strain is necessary for national security.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Mottola has previously acknowledged an association with Epstein but drastically downplayed the depth of their relationship.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplay
Verb
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If moving the plant is absolutely necessary, wait for a series of cool and rainy days to minimize transplant shock.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 2026
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The best tool for minimizing false positives in the field is to give officers more accurate, electronic testing devices, the Roadside Drug Test Innocence Alliance said.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Authorities had since dismissed her lawyers’ requests to send her to a hospital for urgent treatment.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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There is a long history of women's pain being dismissed by doctors, incorrectly categorized as period pain or rooted in psychological distress.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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Whatever your preconceived notions about Feldman are, Hume’s film will expand and challenge them; the movie’s greatness lies in its ability to capture all of Feldman’s contradictions and self-destructiveness, empathizing with him without soft-pedaling his sins.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplay. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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