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
Miami coaches like how physical Marshall plays down by the goal line.
— Shortly thereafter, Tagovailoa was intercepted throwing to WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
—
David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2025
Nix's fine play down the stretch, along with a few notable offseason additions, has led to some rosy predictions for the Broncos this coming season.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
Trump played down expectations ahead of the meeting.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025
Advertisement The President has sought to play down his connection to Epstein over the years.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play down
David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2025
Nix's fine play down the stretch, along with a few notable offseason additions, has led to some rosy predictions for the Broncos this coming season.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
Trump played down expectations ahead of the meeting.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025
Advertisement The President has sought to play down his connection to Epstein over the years.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play down
Verb
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The actor denied the allegations, and the case was later dismissed, per The Hollywood Reporter.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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Those who dismissed intersectionality saw such policies as little more than allowing the disadvantaged to commit crimes without consequences to make up for past inequities, afflicting crime victims from the same disadvantaged communities.—
John Scott Lewinski,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In other words, while Europe continues to send arms supplies to the Ukrainian army, Europe is also careful not to go too far in order to minimize the prospects of a clash with Russia.—
Daniel R. DePetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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Another way to improve pollinator activity is to minimize pesticide use near your trees and keep your garden and lawn as organic as possible.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The prosecutor's office said additional officers who responded to the scene saw a man, later identified as 29-year-old Shaquille Green, running down a nearby street.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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Police do not believe Carbajal was involved in the initial shots fired call and are still looking to speak with the woman who was running down the stairs, Clark added.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The president also appeared to downplay the Bureau of Labor Statistics’s jobs report that will be announced on Friday.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
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His concerns were downplayed a few months ago by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Last week, Ralo took to social media to call Thug a divisive figure who had previously talked down on Rich Homie Quan and YFN Lucci to peers in a similar manner.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
3 Sep. 2025
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Boys Go to Jupiter captures an adolescent malaise without talking down to its teens — there is no preaching about real jobs, responsibilities, or five-year plans.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Nothing grates quite like those slick pharmaceutical ads blaring across the TV, promising quick fixes while soft-pedaling potential side effects.—
Alex Ward,
Boston Herald,
15 Aug. 2025
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This soft-pedalling impulse is evident in the revival’s treatment of Hank’s next-door neighbor Dale, a conspiracy nut who blames the U.N., the U.S. military, and the Cuban government for life’s inconveniences.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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As Elizabeth Hardwick and others have contended over the years, criticism has too often diminished as a form of argument and rigorous engagement.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Others like Geno Smith had to grind their way back to starting roles after being written off.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
4 Sep. 2025
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Once again, many AI researchers and engineers wrote off neural networks.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20down. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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