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
The humble Toney downplays that nickname.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2026
This downplays the robotic look somewhat.
—James Morris, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Continue reading … DEATH DENIAL – Top Iranian official downplays death toll, blames 'Israeli plot' as US considers strikes.
—FOXNews.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Stephan downplays comparisons to other counties.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Hill downplays it a little bit more, but of course, getting to design a version of the creature has been the dream of a lifetime.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 3 Dec. 2025
Some said the removal of the black box warning from all forms of hormone therapy — particularly pills, which deliver estrogen to the entire body — isn’t scientifically justified and downplays evidence of real risks of longer-term use.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2025
Kingsnorth unfairly downplays the many individuals and organizations who do still have views mostly in keeping with his own degrowth perspectives.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 11 Nov. 2025
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
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2026
This downplays the robotic look somewhat.
—James Morris, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Continue reading … DEATH DENIAL – Top Iranian official downplays death toll, blames 'Israeli plot' as US considers strikes.
—FOXNews.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Stephan downplays comparisons to other counties.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Hill downplays it a little bit more, but of course, getting to design a version of the creature has been the dream of a lifetime.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 3 Dec. 2025
Some said the removal of the black box warning from all forms of hormone therapy — particularly pills, which deliver estrogen to the entire body — isn’t scientifically justified and downplays evidence of real risks of longer-term use.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2025
Kingsnorth unfairly downplays the many individuals and organizations who do still have views mostly in keeping with his own degrowth perspectives.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 11 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplays
Verb
-
This precaution minimizes electrical hazards during flooding.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Unlike autonomous cars which operate on public roads and uncontrolled environments, agriculture occurs on private land where everything is more controlled, which minimizes regulatory hurdles and potential for accidents.—
Sabbir Rangwala,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Yet this gloss dismisses something that might be better understood as a guiding principle, and suggests that criticism of Israel is an idealist’s liability rather than a stance with growing support among Democratic voters.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Leadership that dismisses or undermines inclusion inflicts real harm on students, faculty, and staff.—
Wanda James,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downplays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplays. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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