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
But good luck downplaying this moment, because Brown played the same two courses as Scheffler.
—
Brody Miller, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul, is downplaying the bombshell report suggesting Los Angeles Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss has grown tired of his client.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 Jan. 2026
But Trump has also disheartened Iranians by downplaying the regime’s violence.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
The Tribune Editorial Board weakens its argument, however, by downplaying renewable energy while pointing to nuclear power as an alternative.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
For one, Rebecca is mad at Charlie for downplaying the massive risk and selling his own gas-finding abilities so well.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2026
Rodríguez tried to project strength and unity among the ruling party’s many factions, downplaying any hint of betrayal.
—Isabel Debre, Fortune, 4 Jan. 2026
Trump spent most of 2025 downplaying the significance of the files, at times lashing out against Republicans who demanded the release of information about other potential perpetrators.
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 2 Jan. 2026
Yes, that was ESPN’s Joey Galloway calling the Canes the favorite to win the championship, weeks after downplaying UM’s season and advocating for Notre Dame to make the playoffs ahead of Miami.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2026
Brody Miller, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul, is downplaying the bombshell report suggesting Los Angeles Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss has grown tired of his client.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 Jan. 2026
But Trump has also disheartened Iranians by downplaying the regime’s violence.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
The Tribune Editorial Board weakens its argument, however, by downplaying renewable energy while pointing to nuclear power as an alternative.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
For one, Rebecca is mad at Charlie for downplaying the massive risk and selling his own gas-finding abilities so well.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2026
Rodríguez tried to project strength and unity among the ruling party’s many factions, downplaying any hint of betrayal.
—Isabel Debre, Fortune, 4 Jan. 2026
Trump spent most of 2025 downplaying the significance of the files, at times lashing out against Republicans who demanded the release of information about other potential perpetrators.
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 2 Jan. 2026
Yes, that was ESPN’s Joey Galloway calling the Canes the favorite to win the championship, weeks after downplaying UM’s season and advocating for Notre Dame to make the playoffs ahead of Miami.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplaying
Verb
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In Greenville … Stop minimizing our voices.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2026
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These settings reduce the speed and intensity of the tumbling action, minimizing the likelihood of tangling.—
Anyssa Roberts,
The Spruce,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Consequently, before dismissing this federal tax credit scholarship careful consideration should be given to who can benefit from this additional funding and if this program allows a win-win situation for both public and private schools across Illinois.—
Froylan Jimenez,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
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My career at The Times started as my mother was dying of ovarian cancer after years of doctors dismissing her health concerns.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downplaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplaying. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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