Synonyms of downplay

downplay

verb

ˈdau̇n-ˌplā 

as in to minimize

to reduce in apparent importance

he self-deprecatingly downplays his own contributions to the festival's success

Synonyms & Similar Words

• minimize
• dismiss
• soft-pedal
• de-emphasize
• play down
• understate
• underplay
• denigrate
• disparage
• belittle
• derogate
• decry
• deprecate
• bad-mouth
• depreciate
• run down
• talk down
• cry down
• kiss off
• trash-talk
• poor-mouth
• trash
• put down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exaggerate
• overstate
• overdo
• elaborate
• pad
• magnify
• stretch
• embellish
• overdraw
• embroider
• overemphasize
• hedge
• sensationalize
• overplay
• fudge
• melodramatize

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of downplay

The hedge fund veteran and Cabinet secretary chose a starting point for his analysis that downplayed the bond market’s reaction to Trump’s presidency. — Kevin Breuninger,matt Peterson, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

SiriusXM did not comment on that theory, but Cohen and Stern seemed to downplay the idea. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026

Piker has downplayed el Sayed’s attempt to put distance between them and questioned his olive branches as an effort to moderate his criticism of Israel. — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 31 Aug. 2026

Also downplayed was rimegepant, a CGRP-blocking medication sold under the brand name Nurtec, which was approved by the FDA in 2021 as a preventive treatment for episodic migraine. — Isabella Cueto, STAT, 31 Aug. 2026