as in minimizing
to reduce in apparent importance
he self-deprecatingly downplays his own contributions to the festival's success
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of downplaying
City leaders are downplaying speculation about a potential serial killer, but retired NYPD Sgt.
—
Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Critics contend that the administration’s aim is to present a sanitized version of history, downplaying bitter episodes, including racial oppression and sexism.
—Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025
Jane Doe’s rebuttal The plaintiffs counter that Royal Caribbean is greatly downplaying the injury the victims suffered.
—Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025
As the Russian economy teeters due to sanctions, high inflation and dwindling growth, the offer of high salaries to entice troops has given way to encouraging Russians to join by downplaying the risk of going to war, according to the analysis by OpenMinds.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Clooney also lends clarity on his decision to write a gutsy New York Times op-ed piece urging Joe Biden to not seek reelection, after Clooney set up a lucrative fundraiser for the incumbent and observed close up the decline in mental acuity that other Democrats were downplaying.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
That’s been the company line this week, Kelce following Reid, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and defensive tackle Chris Jones in downplaying the incident as a sign of a player’s passion and a coach’s competitive spirt.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
Musk has been downplaying the bad numbers by trying to shift investors’ focus to Tesla’s other business of making robots and advances in the artificial intelligence behind its cars and robotaxis.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
The bond market got to this mode of downplaying inflation and embracing a dovish Fed phase before the CPI hit.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Critics contend that the administration’s aim is to present a sanitized version of history, downplaying bitter episodes, including racial oppression and sexism.
—Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025
Jane Doe’s rebuttal The plaintiffs counter that Royal Caribbean is greatly downplaying the injury the victims suffered.
—Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025
As the Russian economy teeters due to sanctions, high inflation and dwindling growth, the offer of high salaries to entice troops has given way to encouraging Russians to join by downplaying the risk of going to war, according to the analysis by OpenMinds.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Clooney also lends clarity on his decision to write a gutsy New York Times op-ed piece urging Joe Biden to not seek reelection, after Clooney set up a lucrative fundraiser for the incumbent and observed close up the decline in mental acuity that other Democrats were downplaying.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
That’s been the company line this week, Kelce following Reid, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and defensive tackle Chris Jones in downplaying the incident as a sign of a player’s passion and a coach’s competitive spirt.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
Musk has been downplaying the bad numbers by trying to shift investors’ focus to Tesla’s other business of making robots and advances in the artificial intelligence behind its cars and robotaxis.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
The bond market got to this mode of downplaying inflation and embracing a dovish Fed phase before the CPI hit.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplaying
Verb
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This high power-to-weight ratio is critical for aviation, where minimizing weight is essential for efficiency and operational viability.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
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With help from melon antioxidants, peptides, and SPF, the hydrating product shields your skin from harmful rays while also minimizing fine lines.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But dismissing the rise in antisemitism as mere policing of speech about Israel is disingenuous and dangerous.—
Dafna Michaelson Jenet,
Denver Post,
12 Oct. 2025
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Less than four months later, though, a California judge stopped her in her tracks, dismissing her entire complaint on a technicality.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downplaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplaying. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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