1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of play down
The industry is bracing for massive jobs cuts, which Ellison has played down and did again Friday, insisting the combined company will operate more efficiently but also grow.
—
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
Santos, who scored a career-high 31 points in the Warriors win over Brooklyn on Wednesday, made several big plays down the stretch.
—ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
But Smith is the type of player that always seems to execute when the pressure mounts, and his clutch play down the stretch could be the difference in the Sweet 16.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 23 Mar. 2026
Valanciunas is slow-footed and plays down the floor in pick-and-roll coverage, leaving the Nuggets more vulnerable to pick-and-pop bigs and other ripple effects of their help rotations around the floor.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play down
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
Santos, who scored a career-high 31 points in the Warriors win over Brooklyn on Wednesday, made several big plays down the stretch.
—ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
But Smith is the type of player that always seems to execute when the pressure mounts, and his clutch play down the stretch could be the difference in the Sweet 16.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 23 Mar. 2026
Valanciunas is slow-footed and plays down the floor in pick-and-roll coverage, leaving the Nuggets more vulnerable to pick-and-pop bigs and other ripple effects of their help rotations around the floor.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play down
Verb
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But in the motion to dismiss, McCallum said the shooter did not touch the railing.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
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The deal dismissed charges of first-degree murder, tampering with a human body, burglary and theft from his case.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Implosion was selected as the safest and most efficient method to maintain the project timeline while minimizing disruption and ensuring the safety of the Brickell Key community.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
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They’re even outfitted with antimicrobial technology to help minimize odors, so the shoes remain fresh.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Less than 10 minutes later, that same fan is running down the street with others, shrieking and holding up their photos and signed papers in triumph.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2026
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Izzy Rodriguez made one of her patented overlapping runs down the left-hand side of the field and then played a perfect cross into the middle.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The NYT‘s profile either downplayed or omitted all of these glaring ethical red flags.—
Maggie Harrison Dupré,
Futurism,
9 Apr. 2026
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The organization has sought to downplay the news, sharing it on LinkedIn on Thursday rather than issuing a formal press release or splashy social media post to avoid detracting from Fashion Revolution Week.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Shotwell seems to exude a certain kind of humility and, in this interview, even talk down her own role at SpaceX at times.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
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Politicos everywhere are talking down Johnson’s chances.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This loud-and-proud version of Sonny certainly feels progressive, but in a different way it soft-pedals Sonny’s complications.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
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Whatever your preconceived notions about Feldman are, Hume’s film will expand and challenge them; the movie’s greatness lies in its ability to capture all of Feldman’s contradictions and self-destructiveness, empathizing with him without soft-pedaling his sins.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Panini currently holds licenses for those four federations, continuing the ongoing trend of Fanatics winning licenses, which diminishes Panini’s portfolio.—
Larry Holder,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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Competing Colors One painting mistake that will diminish the appearance of even the nicest new kitchen is not thoughtfully considering how your cabinet or wall color will coordinate with other elements in the room.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Arsenal would be foolish to write off a player in this kind of form, with this kind of confidence, and gripped by the kind of never-say-die attitude that has characterised a dramatic career.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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To disregard Sephora and its fans would be like writing off Bravo Con or Comic Con.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Play down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20down. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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