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
For their part, Wilmore and Williams routinely defended NASA's decision while downplaying their extended stay as being part of the job.
—
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Although hopeful, other Republicans did not follow the president’s lead in downplaying their loss.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 8 Feb. 2026
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
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Although hopeful, other Republicans did not follow the president’s lead in downplaying their loss.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 8 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplaying
Verb
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Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2026
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That doesn’t mean minimizing the danger.—
Andy Shaw,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Rather than dismissing student activism as naïve or disruptive, civic leaders can engage these young Marylanders in real discussions about how government works and how citizens influence change.—
Karl W. Bickel,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Feb. 2026
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And more generally, Jim isn’t dismissing the presence of some bad loans within the private credit complex.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downplaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplaying. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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