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

Oeffling humbly downplays the appeal of his music, which has a familiar, early 2000s aesthetic that sounds indebted to the spirit of Yo La Tengo and Broken Social Scene, as well as contemporaries like Alex G. — Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026

Analysts suggest this may reflect that as the Fed gradually downplays forward guidance, market sensitivity to Fed wording—as well as the Fed's overall influence over markets—could be waning. — CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

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