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
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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
Several officers who fought the rioters said the hardest thing to deal with has been the effort by many to play down the violence, despite a massive trove of video and photographic evidence documenting it.
—
Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2026
Several officers who fought the rioters told The Associated Press that the hardest thing to deal with has been the effort by many to play down the violence, despite a massive trove of video and photographic evidence documenting the carnage.
—Mary Clare Jalonick, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
The Bears relentlessly attacked Brown deep down the field, and the Niners’ safety — who made several nice plays down as a de facto linebacker — gave up two first-half touchdowns on deep balls.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
Ahead of the demerger, ter Kulve played down these risks, arguing that for years TMICC has evolved its portfolio to include more products with reduced sugar, higher amounts of protein or in which portions can be controlled.
—Ian King, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play down
Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2026
Several officers who fought the rioters told The Associated Press that the hardest thing to deal with has been the effort by many to play down the violence, despite a massive trove of video and photographic evidence documenting the carnage.
—Mary Clare Jalonick, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
The Bears relentlessly attacked Brown deep down the field, and the Niners’ safety — who made several nice plays down as a de facto linebacker — gave up two first-half touchdowns on deep balls.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
Ahead of the demerger, ter Kulve played down these risks, arguing that for years TMICC has evolved its portfolio to include more products with reduced sugar, higher amounts of protein or in which portions can be controlled.
—Ian King, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play down
Verb
-
Government attorneys argued that the raids were entirely lawful and that the plaintiffs’ lawsuit should be dismissed in its entirety.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
16 Jan. 2026
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Since the lawsuit was originally dismissed in September, Minnesota and its Democratic leadership have come under immense scrutiny and arguably lost credibility due to the state's growing welfare fraud scandal.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Cruz and other Republicans argued the decision minimized the gravity of an attack on the judiciary and could encourage future political violence.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
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Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The contrast stripes running down the sides of the legs add a fun, sporty touch.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
13 Jan. 2026
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With the final seconds running down, Erickson elevated near the free-throw line and his shot fell through the net at the buzzer to ignite a wild on-court celebration.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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British officials downplayed the pause as temporary, insisting momentum would resume amid complex negotiations, but the impasse signals broader frustrations with Europe’s regulatory posture toward American innovation, market access, and economic sovereignty.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, however, downplayed the agent's injuries.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Kirk does not talk down to the reader, and that is a feat.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
22 Dec. 2025
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Forever captures the rush and confusion of first love without talking down to its audience.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
14 Dec. 2025
Verb
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In fact, several of the investigators believed the shooting was intentional, and that the Biden administration had actually soft-pedaled the investigation’s findings to appease Israel.—
Scott Griffen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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On the other hand, the idea of being Colorado sober soft-pedals the potentially addictive effects of cannabis and psychedelics, said Alton P. Dillard II, a media consultant for the One Chance to Grow Up nonprofit.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Still seething after a sloppy 19-16 loss to the Detroit Lions, Johnson wasn’t hiding his dissatisfaction with a defeat that seemed to diminish his team’s momentum.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Kaufman moved there 30 years ago, and since that time the island’s community has diminished by degrees, its youth lured away by better employment prospects in Provo and overseas.—
Henry Wismayer,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In Buenos Aires in 1971, where women’s soccer is written off as just a curiosity, 16 young women are unexpectedly chosen to form Argentina’s first national women’s soccer team.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
13 Jan. 2026
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Smaller debts may be written off or pursued through calls and letters only, while larger balances can tip the scale toward legal action.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Play down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20down. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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