as in minimized
to reduce in apparent importance
he self-deprecatingly downplays his own contributions to the festival's success
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Recent Examples of downplayed
This film adaptation cut out the second half of the book, downplayed the violence committed by Olivier’s character, Heathcliff, and played up the romance between Heathcliff and Oberon’s character, Cathy.
—
Becky Little, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
The self-effacing Kress downplayed the moment.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Even with redactions, many who downplayed their past relationships with Epstein are now seeing the true nature of their communication with him come into public view.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Ryan, who recently switched his representation to VC Sports Group, also downplayed the notion that he was rankled by the arbitration process.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Lutnick again downplayed his relationship with the disgraced financier, who was once his neighbor in New York City, as he was questioned by Democrats during a subcommittee hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
—Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Serve has downplayed the severity of the collision.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Kenwell, of eToro, downplayed the risk posed by geopolitical unrest or AI, saying potential volatility could arise from unanticipated economic developments.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
Jamie Squire / Getty Images Seattle linebacker Patrick O’Connell, a Montana native, also downplayed the significance of a Super Bowl rematch with New England.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
Becky Little, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
The self-effacing Kress downplayed the moment.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Even with redactions, many who downplayed their past relationships with Epstein are now seeing the true nature of their communication with him come into public view.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Ryan, who recently switched his representation to VC Sports Group, also downplayed the notion that he was rankled by the arbitration process.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Lutnick again downplayed his relationship with the disgraced financier, who was once his neighbor in New York City, as he was questioned by Democrats during a subcommittee hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
—Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Serve has downplayed the severity of the collision.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Kenwell, of eToro, downplayed the risk posed by geopolitical unrest or AI, saying potential volatility could arise from unanticipated economic developments.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
Jamie Squire / Getty Images Seattle linebacker Patrick O’Connell, a Montana native, also downplayed the significance of a Super Bowl rematch with New England.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplayed
Verb
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The strain of data centers on public infrastruction-power and water-is being minimized as they are built in Texas.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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The report warned that neglect is often minimized within the child welfare system, where it can be conflated with poverty and social workers may be reluctant to penalize poor or minority parents who are juggling multiple jobs.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The additional charges were dismissed.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
15 Feb. 2026
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Obama dismissed those rumors, joking that if aliens existed and were being concealed, even the president was not in on it.—
Adisa Hargett-Robinson,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The changes have included an overhaul of Google’s ubiquitous search engine that has de-emphasized a listing of relevant web links in its results and increasingly highlighted AI overviews and conversational responses provided through an AI mode.—
Michael Liedtke,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In fact, several of the investigators believed the shooting was intentional, and that the Biden administration had actually soft-pedaled the investigation’s findings to appease Israel.—
Scott Griffen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downplayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplayed. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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