PLAY DOWN Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

play down

verb

Definition of play down

as in to dismiss

to express scornfully one's low opinion of out of sheer envy, she would always play down her sister's accomplishments

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to minimize

to reduce in apparent importance if you play down your part in the project, you won't get the credit you deserve

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of play down Russia's government played down concerns Monday sparked by media reports that a female scientist in Siberia might have died of exposure to the plague after a lab accident. — Ramy Inocencio, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2026 So there’s a chance to get some plays down the field for the Panthers. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2026 The hearing officer noted that Marx, in a July podcast interview, had played down the violations and claimed the campaign was aware of them before the complaints began to mount. — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2026 With the Kroenke deal, the Angels will plug into a much larger sports and media ecosystem that should benefit the team that has always played down the road in Orange County in the shadow of the region’s beloved Los Angeles Dodgers franchise. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for play down

Recent Examples of Synonyms for play down

Verb

China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the espionage allegation on Monday.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 11 Nov. 2026
The Senate dismissed all impeachment charges, shutting down his trial before arguments even began.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of dismiss

Verb

The residence-style rooms make mealtimes and bedtimes easier, and the gondola access minimizes the potential for meltdowns.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026
Bomb threats targeted dozens of flights across Europe last week, following a string of hoaxes that forced flight diversions and left airlines scrambling to keep passengers safe and minimize disruption.

— Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of minimize

Verb

Although bullying usually runs down the chain of power – for example, from a boss to an employee – grade bullying flips that.

— Jason Walker, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026
The trial for a man accused of fatally running down his 17-year-old girlfriend in Burlington in 2023 continued Monday with his attorney disputing the findings of the medical examiner who ruled the death a homicide.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of run down

Verb

Musk has downplayed the sales slump at Tesla, focusing on the company’s future as a maker of autonomous vehicles and taxis.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
In his closing arguments Monday, Nov 2, attorney Ian Winter worked to discredit and downplay the six women whose allegations anchor the criminal case against Brand (via Sky News).

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of downplay

Verb

That’s not because Crystal soft-pedals the emotional horror of returning to your home to find charred remains after watching, helpless, as flames took the locus of all your best memories.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
That’s not because Crystal soft-pedals the emotional horror of returning to the charred remains of your home after watching, helpless, as flames took the locus of all your best memories.

— Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of soft-pedal

Verb

Except in the extreme, legislators are loath to devalue local autonomy while also prioritizing delivery of state aid to diminish local tax burdens.

— David Bloomfield, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
While rain chances will diminish, clouds will hang tough through much of the day, and northeast winds will pick up slightly to 5 to 10 mph.

— Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 31 Oct. 2026