Synonyms of downplays

downplays

verb

present tense third-person singular of downplay

as in minimizes

to reduce in apparent importance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• minimizes
• dismisses
• de-emphasizes
• soft-pedals
• understates
• plays down
• underplays
• denigrates
• decries
• disparages
• belittles
• derogates
• deprecates
• depreciates
• runs down
• talks down
• trashes
• bad-mouths
• cries down
• trash-talks
• poor-mouths
• kisses off
• puts down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exaggerates
• overstates
• elaborates
• overdoes
• magnifies
• stretches
• embellishes
• overdraws
• pads
• embroiders
• hedges
• overemphasizes
• fudges
• overplays
• sensationalizes
• melodramatizes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of downplays

In her role as well as elsewhere, Kalle downplays the explicit homophobia that might have rendered this a more simplistic allegory, making Asla less a figure of interfering jealousy than a woman who simply doesn’t want to be abandoned yet again. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026

Miller also downplays concerns about competition with the Jaguar Type 01, highlighting the GT's greater versatility fcompared to Jaguar's more design-focused, less practical offering. — James Morris, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

In Philadelphia, the Park Service now downplays the importance of slavery to understanding the first president. — John Garrison Marks, The Atlantic, 25 July 2026

Even as Sand downplays party politics, Democrats are putting faith in him to blaze a trail in the state after struggling electorally in recent cycles. — ABC News, 7 June 2026

That's likely why Mindelle downplays that part of the gig, and instead focuses on the comedy that keeps her on her toes. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026

Ezelle, however, downplays his role in advising DBGI. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 May 2026

The accessibility of these supplements without restrictions normalizes their use and downplays their serious health risks. — Jad Abdel Nour, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026

The proposition has been met with backlash online, as some believe the name insinuates a connection to the president or downplays the importance of the man who donated the land, whom it is named after. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026