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
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
Continue reading … MIXED MESSAGES – Spanberger downplays Jay Jones' text scandal as Virginia election nears.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 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
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
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
Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 11 Nov. 2025
Continue reading … MIXED MESSAGES – Spanberger downplays Jay Jones' text scandal as Virginia election nears.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplays
Verb
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Some dishwasher pods contain rinse aid, which helps with the drying process and minimizes water spots, while others don't.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Nov. 2025
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Scholarly analysis of PragerU videos have found the content minimizes the impact of slavery and promotes misinformation on topics including climate change.—
Emery Petchauer,
The Conversation,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This company’s approach to pest control begins with a philosophy that dismisses the business-as-usual assumptions.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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Back in the present, Ron checks in with Natalie about her engagement, concerned about the way Tara dismisses her artistic passions and, even worse, forces her to add olives to everything.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downplays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplays. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
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