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 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
Happily, in his aptly peculiar film, docmaker Xander Robin downplays the boredom in favor of the adrenalin, and even more compellingly, of the Challenge’s diverse but uniformly eccentric sociological makeup.
—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
10 May 2026
The accessibility of these supplements without restrictions normalizes their use and downplays their serious health risks.
—
Jad Abdel Nour,
Hartford Courant,
4 May 2026
The proposition has been met with backlash online, as some believe the name insinuates a connection to the president or downplays the importance of the man who donated the land, whom it is named after.
—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2026
San Diego economist Ray Major downplays the impacts of declining immigration, pointing out that the far more concerning issue is the continuing exodus of residents, who far outnumber those who are moving here.
—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Benjamin Netanyahu signals restraint on energy strikes and downplays Iran’s capabilities.
—
Abhishek Shanker,
Bloomberg,
20 Mar. 2026
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
Happily, in his aptly peculiar film, docmaker Xander Robin downplays the boredom in favor of the adrenalin, and even more compellingly, of the Challenge’s diverse but uniformly eccentric sociological makeup.
—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
10 May 2026
The accessibility of these supplements without restrictions normalizes their use and downplays their serious health risks.
—
Jad Abdel Nour,
Hartford Courant,
4 May 2026
The proposition has been met with backlash online, as some believe the name insinuates a connection to the president or downplays the importance of the man who donated the land, whom it is named after.
—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2026
San Diego economist Ray Major downplays the impacts of declining immigration, pointing out that the far more concerning issue is the continuing exodus of residents, who far outnumber those who are moving here.
—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Benjamin Netanyahu signals restraint on energy strikes and downplays Iran’s capabilities.
—
Abhishek Shanker,
Bloomberg,
20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplays
Verb
-
An interior anti-reflective treatment minimizes glare in bright sun, and the glasses offer decent visibility in fading daylight.
-
For Straight, Hydrated Strands Wavytalk The steam technology in this straightening tool infuses moisture into your hair, reduces frizz and minimizes heat damage while delivering sleek, pin-straight results.
Verb
-
De Borbon dismisses the accusations as coming from a small group of disgruntled owners.
-
Bisignano dismisses the criticism.
Cite this Entry
“Downplays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplays. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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