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 Comcast executives on the analyst call played down the notion that the two companies were being positioned for another deal. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 Senegal has pressured Iraq, which is again playing down a man, but hasn't had many quality chances on net. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 27 June 2026 The White House didn’t respond to a request for comment on Cassidy’s characterization of the meeting and some Republicans tried to play down the clash. — ABC News, 24 June 2026 The timeless design adds warmth and texture to a nursery today and promises years of imaginative play down the road. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for play down

Recent Examples of Synonyms for play down

Verb

The case had not gone to trial yet, and the charges were dismissed Wednesday as a result of his death, records show.

— Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
He was charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and DUI causing injury, but the second charge was later dismissed after the substances tested for were not found to be present in his blood, the statement at the time read.

— Adam England, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026

Definition of dismiss

Verb

Doctors are emphasizing the importance of minimizing your time in the smoke as much as possible.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Franchisors, franchisees, distributors, and food manufacturers increasingly rely upon rigorous supplier audits, product testing, traceability technology, and crisis response protocols to minimize both operational disruption and public health risks.

— Gary Occhiogrosso, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of minimize

Verb

On the one hand, circulating the ball can slowly run down the opponents’ batteries as they are starved of possession for long periods, pinned further back towards their own goal with legs becoming heavier and minds cloudier.

— Mark Carey, New York Times, 18 July 2026
After Hurtado-Cariaco runs down the block, the agents get back into their vehicles.

— Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Definition of run down

Verb

In our most recent conversation, Gershman dismissed the account Sebold gave in her memoir and downplayed the parts of her testimony that were more ambiguous.

— Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 17 July 2026
But James downplayed golf as a big factor in his free agent decision.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026

Definition of downplay

Verb

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris O’Dowd, and Bryan Cranston lead an excellent voice cast in a family film that doesn’t talk down to the little ones while also providing cozy comfort for their parents.

— Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 17 July 2026
In a daring high-wire act high above the East River, fearless NYPD cops spent nearly an hour on a span of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge talking down a woman desperately threatening to jump.

— Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026

Definition of talk down

Verb

About $3,000 in transportation costs for passenger vans and drivers had to be written off as well.

— Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
This is seen as friendly to the creatives, with Amazon potentially prepared to write off a chunk of its spend and for key creatives and filmmakers to get their backend should the movie make money.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 July 2026