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
But French diplomatic sources told The Telegraph that the chair was intended for an interpreter, not for Macron, downplaying any tensions between Trump and Macron.
—
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025
Abbas has downplayed the crime and has blamed Kardashian in interviews with multiple media for flaunting her jewelry.
—Sandra Gonzalez, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025
By downplaying riders’ fears, advocates have allowed the MTA to be framed as a lawless underground.
—David Garten, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
The country subsequently downplayed the initiative, but has doubled-down on domestic tech development given U.S. restrictions in the last several years.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downplay
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025
Abbas has downplayed the crime and has blamed Kardashian in interviews with multiple media for flaunting her jewelry.
—Sandra Gonzalez, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025
By downplaying riders’ fears, advocates have allowed the MTA to be framed as a lawless underground.
—David Garten, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
The country subsequently downplayed the initiative, but has doubled-down on domestic tech development given U.S. restrictions in the last several years.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplay
Verb
-
Use plants well within your hardiness zone to minimize the risk of losing a full-grown hedge to atypical freezes.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2025
-
In this case, following a low-FODMAP diet, which cuts out certain carbs that tend to create more gas and fluid in your GI tract, can minimize pressure on your intestines and the painful bloaty feeling that comes with it.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The charge was dismissed after Baldwin's attorneys alleged prosecutors had withheld evidence.—
Sharareh Drury,
People.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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With punching bags Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle in the frontcourt, the Wolves were dismissed as legitimate opponents for the mighty purple and gold.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
1 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 7 May. 2025.
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