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
However, the Mets have already been playing down one bench bat with Baty unavailable these last two games.
—
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
On the next play down the floor, the person added, Doncic did it again.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 7 June 2025
But the Valkyries made enough plays down the stretch to seal the win.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 24 May 2025
In recent press conferences, Pereira has played down the prospect of experimenting with an eye on next season.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for play down
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
On the next play down the floor, the person added, Doncic did it again.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 7 June 2025
But the Valkyries made enough plays down the stretch to seal the win.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 24 May 2025
In recent press conferences, Pereira has played down the prospect of experimenting with an eye on next season.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for play down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play down
Verb
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In a series of tweets, Charli XCX dismissed the controversy and defended her creative choices.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
30 June 2025
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Social media companies have already gotten several claims dismissed, including a claim of unjust enrichment, Goetz said, because Nazario failed to respond to them.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2025
Verb
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That's why ignoring minor misbehavior (as long as no one is being harmed) and praising positive choices is one of the most effective ways to manage and minimize attention-seeking behaviors.1 2.—
Amy Morin,
Parents,
7 July 2025
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These workshops taught cognitive skills aimed at maximizing the strengths and minimizing the weaknesses typically associated with their specific most strongly outlying trait.—
Maia Szalavitz,
Scientific American,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Crowds began running down the road toward the site, as cars and motorcycles raced each other.—
Anas Baba,
NPR,
6 July 2025
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The path could also run down the west side of Howell Street, Smith said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 July 2025
Verb
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There are a number of reasons why, ranging from the comparatively low death toll to concerted efforts by contemporary civic boosters and business interests to downplay the extent of the damage.—
Rong-Gong Lin II,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
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As political misalignment in the United States emerges as a material investment risk, investors and companies are increasingly risking their long-term sustainability by downplaying it.—
Bhakti Mirchandani,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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The 53-year-old artist shared an Instagram video where animals are wearing human clothing and doing human activity while talking down on the current music landscape.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
9 June 2025
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Don’t patronize, don’t over-explain, don’t talk down to them in any way.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Verb
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In 2024, Paul Weiss didn’t soft-pedal its liberal leanings.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2025
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Goldberg Tuesday scoffed at the denials and efforts to soft-pedal the extent and potential danger of the breach.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The best wrinkle creams on Amazon prove that drugstore prices don't diminish efficacy.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
8 July 2025
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Eggs may not be quite so extreme, since the bird flu problem is expected to diminish.—
Jan Ellen Spiegel,
Hartford Courant,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Two years on, Onana has been written off as a flop.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
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Pinpointing the Deals Buying in person has its perks, too, and can’t be written off completely.—
Julia Forbes,
Wired News,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20down. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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