as in minimizing
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 downplaying
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
Continue reading … TRUTH ON TRIAL – UN blasted for report accusing Israel of genocide while downplaying Hamas terror.
—FOXNews.com, 17 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
But these remarks provoked a backlash online, with victims and experts accusing the president of downplaying domestic abuse.
—Marni Rose McFall King, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Reclaiming Agency By Managing Your Online Presence Intentionally downplaying appearance by using unfiltered photos or presenting themselves more modestly than in real life can help users filter out people who are only interested in surface-level attraction.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
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
Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
Continue reading … TRUTH ON TRIAL – UN blasted for report accusing Israel of genocide while downplaying Hamas terror.
—FOXNews.com, 17 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
But these remarks provoked a backlash online, with victims and experts accusing the president of downplaying domestic abuse.
—Marni Rose McFall King, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Reclaiming Agency By Managing Your Online Presence Intentionally downplaying appearance by using unfiltered photos or presenting themselves more modestly than in real life can help users filter out people who are only interested in surface-level attraction.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplaying
Verb
-
Your creative spark is valid, so stop minimizing it.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
5 Oct. 2025
-
This practice supports your lawn's health by promoting strong roots and minimizing thatch buildup.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As a result of the investigation, embassy officials decided not to renew the employee’s contract, effectively dismissing him.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The appellate court last year reversed Martínez-Olguín’s initial case dismissal, leading to the judge dismissing it again.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downplaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplaying. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share