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
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
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
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Your Lawn Aerating the lawn helps nutrients reach deeper into the soil, minimizes compaction, and can help when overseeding the lawn.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
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At the time, Lee minimizes the bombshell by way of embellishment.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Each side dismisses the other's contention.—
Todd Spangler,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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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 8 Oct. 2025.
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