as in minimizes
to reduce in apparent importance
he self-deprecatingly downplays his own contributions to the festival's success
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Recent Examples of downplays
Combs did not deny kicking or throwing Cassie to the ground, and even downplays these acts of violence, Slavik said in her arguments this morning.
—
Nbc News, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2025
Even as Vancouver publicly downplays its conviction about Cootes, internally, the conversation around him is beginning to shift materially.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
The film’s overall low-key tenor downplays both moral judgment and conspicuous style, though neither are entirely lacking.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
The piece downplays opposition.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Sep. 2025
Continue reading … BASELESS ACCUSATIONS – Jasmine Crockett likens ICE to 'slave patrols,' downplays migrant crime.
—FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Critics argue this approach lacks clarity and downplays the importance of protecting vulnerable populations.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Leavitt's wording downplays the chances of a breakthrough on a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025
The hundred-and-forty-one-page assessment downplays the dangers from climate change, sometimes in ways that seem contradicted by the document’s own figures.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Nbc News, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2025
Even as Vancouver publicly downplays its conviction about Cootes, internally, the conversation around him is beginning to shift materially.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
The film’s overall low-key tenor downplays both moral judgment and conspicuous style, though neither are entirely lacking.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
The piece downplays opposition.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Sep. 2025
Continue reading … BASELESS ACCUSATIONS – Jasmine Crockett likens ICE to 'slave patrols,' downplays migrant crime.
—FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Critics argue this approach lacks clarity and downplays the importance of protecting vulnerable populations.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Leavitt's wording downplays the chances of a breakthrough on a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025
The hundred-and-forty-one-page assessment downplays the dangers from climate change, sometimes in ways that seem contradicted by the document’s own figures.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplays
Verb
-
Further modifications typically include the development of fuel nozzles that let the machine run on natural gas rather than aviation fuel, and a combustor that minimizes the emission of nitrogen oxides, a major pollutant.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
20 Oct. 2025
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Removing small amounts of the leaf blade each mowing minimizes plant stress.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Each side dismisses the other's contention.—
Todd Spangler,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Trump dismisses Republican mayoral hopeful as Giuliani allies support Cuomo.—
,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downplays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplays. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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