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 Miami coach Mario Cristobal played down preseason hype around his team. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2026 The industry is one of the key drivers of Indian economic growth and middle-class expansion, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has played down job displacement concerns. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Often times, Europeans play down the ideological motive and cite mental health. — Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026 Iranian state television earlier played down the outcome of the Iran-Oman discussions, citing a person familiar with the matter as saying an agreement between Tehran and Muscat would not necessarily mean the strait would open immediately. — Bloomberg, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for play down

Recent Examples of Synonyms for play down

Verb

But Smith dismissed the idea that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was trying to boost his chances in upcoming domestic elections.

— Samantha Subin,CJ Haddad,Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Also Tuesday, just after court was dismissed, Dawn Light, 56, of Sutton, Massachusetts, was arrested outside the courthouse in Plymouth, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts State Police confirmed.

— Blayne Alexander, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of dismiss

Verb

That dynamic undoubtedly minimizes the adjustment associated with staff upheaval.

— Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Mazama Energy’s demonstrated superhot rock platform optimizes well construction, drilling, and stimulation to boost power capacity while minimizing water use, land footprint, and well counts.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of minimize

Verb

Photos of Bellin's injuries taken after the incident showed Bellin with blood running down her face and left arm and hand.

— Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Bright flames shot out of an overhead compartment as flight attendants ran down the smoky aisle with fire extinguishers.

— Alison J. Stein, HubSpot, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of run down

Verb

Oversimplifying things, on the other hand, would leave hardcore fans feeling as if they were being talked down to.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Leadership training disputes The lawsuit alleges Petersen began subjecting Kennon to discriminatory treatment around January 2024, including talking down to her, ignoring her and questioning her judgment.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of talk down

Verb

Its screenplay, which Dolan hatched in collaboration with three others, tries to soft-pedal predictable beats that nonetheless end up the only ones getting beaten.

— Dennis Harvey, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
But Paddy’s isn’t Sudz, and the Gang’s efforts to soft-pedal their antics to be more in line with those mainstream bars devolved into typical Sunny-style hostility and off-putting grossness.

— Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026

Definition of soft-pedal

Verb

Foreign central banks and other institutions looking for a safe place to park their capital have diminished roles in the Treasury market and have increasingly turned to alternative havens like gold.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026
These stabs at earnestness do nothing to diminish the feeling of the concert film being little more than a cash grab.

— Elena Lazic, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026