as in minimizing
to reduce in apparent importance
he self-deprecatingly downplays his own contributions to the festival's success
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Recent Examples of downplaying
Kirk’s good at downplaying his interest in seeing La’an again.
—
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, the Defense Secretary (Jared Harris) who has been downplaying this event is feeling the pressure, and carries the burden that his daughter (Kaitlyn Dever) is in Chicago.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
Keeping their businesses small, avoiding bold money moves, and downplaying financial goals are all ways of playing small.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
In follow-up questions, ranking Democrat Ron Wyden pressed O’Neill on statements by Kennedy downplaying the safety and effectiveness of vaccines to prevent measles and other diseases.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
Insha Rahman, vice president for advocacy and partnerships at the progressive Vera Institute of Justice, addressed DNC members during a strategy session, downplaying concerns about violent crime tied to migrants and carjackings.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2025
But that framing is incomplete, downplaying the financing mechanics that make each purchase possible.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Is Atari downplaying Adventure's influence?
—PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2025
Risks outside of resorts McDonald explained that resorts and cruise lines work hard to maintain reputations for safety, often downplaying incidents to reassure guests.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, the Defense Secretary (Jared Harris) who has been downplaying this event is feeling the pressure, and carries the burden that his daughter (Kaitlyn Dever) is in Chicago.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
Keeping their businesses small, avoiding bold money moves, and downplaying financial goals are all ways of playing small.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
In follow-up questions, ranking Democrat Ron Wyden pressed O’Neill on statements by Kennedy downplaying the safety and effectiveness of vaccines to prevent measles and other diseases.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
Insha Rahman, vice president for advocacy and partnerships at the progressive Vera Institute of Justice, addressed DNC members during a strategy session, downplaying concerns about violent crime tied to migrants and carjackings.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2025
But that framing is incomplete, downplaying the financing mechanics that make each purchase possible.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Is Atari downplaying Adventure's influence?
—PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2025
Risks outside of resorts McDonald explained that resorts and cruise lines work hard to maintain reputations for safety, often downplaying incidents to reassure guests.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplaying
Verb
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Like many of my favorite picks, these boots also utilize a wide toe box, minimizing blisters and maximizing comfort.—
Alice Bennett,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Sep. 2025
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This approach allows your team to learn and adapt, minimizing disruption for end users and ensuring a smoother transition.—
Rajat Bhargava,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Put frankly, dismissing intention has boxed the ivory tower into a corner for its ability to handle difficult conversations relating to religion.—
Matthew Mayhew,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The singer defended Siwa and recounted her own experiences as a bisexual woman falling in love with a man after previously dismissing the idea.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downplaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplaying. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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