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
But experts on the group have downplayed the evidence released so far.
—
Richard Hall, Time, 13 Sep. 2025
The Chiefs have since downplayed any lingering fallout from the tense TV moment.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
Warren, in his typically nonchalant fashion, downplayed his early impact in the Colts’ offense.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
McCormick, a physician, also downplayed the public health threat of eliminating vaccine mandates, saying people can protect themselves, and their kids at schools, by opting to get the inoculations themselves.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 10 Sep. 2025
In the Seattle game, Raleigh admitted it while manger Dan Wilson downplayed it by citing tough counts and the Yankees capitalizing.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Fahey relished the opportunity to play against Lyons and downplayed any sort of rivalry between the two top quarterbacks.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 6 Sep. 2025
His concerns were downplayed a few months ago by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Critchfield even downplayed concerns that AI use in schools encourages cheating.
—Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025
Richard Hall, Time, 13 Sep. 2025
The Chiefs have since downplayed any lingering fallout from the tense TV moment.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
Warren, in his typically nonchalant fashion, downplayed his early impact in the Colts’ offense.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
McCormick, a physician, also downplayed the public health threat of eliminating vaccine mandates, saying people can protect themselves, and their kids at schools, by opting to get the inoculations themselves.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 10 Sep. 2025
In the Seattle game, Raleigh admitted it while manger Dan Wilson downplayed it by citing tough counts and the Yankees capitalizing.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Fahey relished the opportunity to play against Lyons and downplayed any sort of rivalry between the two top quarterbacks.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 6 Sep. 2025
His concerns were downplayed a few months ago by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Critchfield even downplayed concerns that AI use in schools encourages cheating.
—Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplayed
Verb
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Officials repeatedly minimized fire risks and touted the benefits of letting the fire burn, according to The Republic's findings.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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Context switching is minimized.—
Paul Kovalenko,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Miami’s cartophile Argentine defender Tomas Aviles saw his second yellow of the night after pulling back Toklomati and was dismissed in the 79th minute, leaving Messi and his teammates down a man for the final stages.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
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Fletcher, who was considered a strong contender for a state Senate seat in March 2023 when Figueroa filed her complaint, spoke publicly Friday about the allegations one month after a judge dismissed it.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downplayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplayed. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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