as in minimized
to reduce in apparent importance
he self-deprecatingly downplays his own contributions to the festival's success
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of downplayed
Korotaev downplayed its significance using simpler logic, comparing it with Russia’s far more damaging strategic air and missile campaign against Ukraine.
—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
28 June 2026
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra at the time downplayed the confrontation, with the Heat routinely making peace after acquiring former Heat instigators.
—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
28 June 2026
The episode went viral, and both the player and coach addressed it and downplayed it.
—
Candace Buckner,
New York Times,
27 June 2026
Fauci, meanwhile, downplayed his involvement with the IC regarding COVID.
—
Ian Miller Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
22 June 2026
Mamdani downplayed comparisons with his own historic campaign win, noting that New Yorkers have been juggling the Knicks’ championship run, the World Cup and picture perfect weather during the early voting period.
—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
22 June 2026
Messi downplayed tying the record in a postgame interview.
—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
The vice president and other officials have downplayed evidence of collateral damage in their crackdown on fraudulent hospices.
—
Isaac Arnsdorf,
Washington Post,
15 June 2026
Uruguay's preparation for the opener was disrupted by travel delays, though Bielsa downplayed concerns about the impact on the team.
—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
28 June 2026
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra at the time downplayed the confrontation, with the Heat routinely making peace after acquiring former Heat instigators.
—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
28 June 2026
The episode went viral, and both the player and coach addressed it and downplayed it.
—
Candace Buckner,
New York Times,
27 June 2026
Fauci, meanwhile, downplayed his involvement with the IC regarding COVID.
—
Ian Miller Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
22 June 2026
Mamdani downplayed comparisons with his own historic campaign win, noting that New Yorkers have been juggling the Knicks’ championship run, the World Cup and picture perfect weather during the early voting period.
—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
22 June 2026
Messi downplayed tying the record in a postgame interview.
—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
The vice president and other officials have downplayed evidence of collateral damage in their crackdown on fraudulent hospices.
—
Isaac Arnsdorf,
Washington Post,
15 June 2026
Uruguay's preparation for the opener was disrupted by travel delays, though Bielsa downplayed concerns about the impact on the team.
—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplayed
Verb
-
These behaviors are often minimized as personality quirks or generational differences.
-
Highlight details are more vivid and color bleeding is minimized.
Verb
-
If he was dismissed without cause, his contract provides for a minimum 12-month payout.
-
After earlier false rumors involving tsunami threats and the collapse of major transportation links, Rodríguez dismissed new viral claims about infrastructure failures, urging the public to rely exclusively on official sources.
Verb
-
Our tactile and sensory life has been de-emphasized in favor of ideas, symbols, accomplishments, and abstractions.
-
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.
Verb
-
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.
Cite this Entry
“Downplayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplayed. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
