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
Some also downplay the threat posed by Beijing, arguing that China’s power is exaggerated and that the country faces serious demographic and economic challenges that undermine its capability to establish regional hegemony.
—
Jennifer Lind, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Drug ads often downplay the risks, leading to uninformed decisions.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
Trump downplayed the significance of Iran’s response and did not retaliate.
—Tom Vanden Brook, USA Today, 23 June 2025
Connelly frequently downplayed her reputation and aptitude for knowing how to ask for large donations from important individuals.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for downplay
Jennifer Lind, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Drug ads often downplay the risks, leading to uninformed decisions.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
Trump downplayed the significance of Iran’s response and did not retaliate.
—Tom Vanden Brook, USA Today, 23 June 2025
Connelly frequently downplayed her reputation and aptitude for knowing how to ask for large donations from important individuals.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for downplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplay
Verb
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These workshops taught cognitive skills aimed at maximizing the strengths and minimizing the weaknesses typically associated with their specific most strongly outlying trait.—
Maia Szalavitz,
Scientific American,
7 July 2025
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That's why ignoring minor misbehavior (as long as no one is being harmed) and praising positive choices is one of the most effective ways to manage and minimize attention-seeking behaviors.1 2.—
Amy Morin,
Parents,
7 July 2025
Verb
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In a series of tweets, Charli XCX dismissed the controversy and defended her creative choices.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
30 June 2025
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Social media companies have already gotten several claims dismissed, including a claim of unjust enrichment, Goetz said, because Nazario failed to respond to them.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 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 11 Jul. 2025.
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