Synonyms of downplaying

downplaying

verb

present participle of downplay

as in minimizing

to reduce in apparent importance

he self-deprecatingly downplays his own contributions to the festival's success

Synonyms & Similar Words

• minimizing
• dismissing
• de-emphasizing
• soft-pedaling
• understating
• playing down
• underplaying
• denigrating
• belittling
• disparaging
• decrying
• derogating
• deprecating
• depreciating
• running down
• talking down
• trashing
• bad-mouthing
• crying down
• trash-talking
• poor-mouthing
• putting down
• kissing off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exaggerating
• overstating
• overdoing
• elaborating
• stretching
• overdrawing
• magnifying
• embellishing
• padding
• embroidering
• hedging
• overemphasizing
• fudging
• overplaying
• sensationalizing
• melodramatizing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of downplaying

These positive connotations associated with scientific research help the AI industry signal altruism while downplaying their profit-making ambitions. — Matthew Sun, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026

Over the years, Marco Polo has adapted to the neighborhood’s changing demographics by downplaying its old-world Italian extravagance. — Rachel Corbett, Curbed, 31 Aug. 2026

Much like Big Tobacco was forced to admit that cigarettes can cause cancer or Purdue Pharma was forced to stop downplaying the risks of OxyContin, this agreement now puts Meta’s core products in a negative light. — Diane Brady, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

One of Gates’ most striking claims, though, is that tech leaders are knowingly downplaying AI’s risks because of the money involved. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 26 Aug. 2026

At the same time, O'Neill said, Meta's executives were downplaying or denying the addictiveness of the platforms. — John Ruwitch, NPR, 18 Aug. 2026

But the professional class on Wall Street is downplaying that outcome. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026

But legendary women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma is downplaying the entire conversation. — Ryan Morik Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026

In Senate hearings, Paul has repeatedly accused Fauci of downplaying the theory that the virus emerged from a lab in the Chinese city of Wuhan rather than jumping from animals to humans naturally. — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026