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
Mims made big plays down the stretch, too.
—
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025
Eventually, the Panthers will be able to make some big plays down the field with Horn extending his package of reps.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2025
The really big comedians will usually play down the block at the historic Orpheum Theater, which also features musical acts and kids’ shows as well.
—Peter Cameron, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Proud of our players for making plays down the stretch in critical situations.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play down
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025
Eventually, the Panthers will be able to make some big plays down the field with Horn extending his package of reps.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2025
The really big comedians will usually play down the block at the historic Orpheum Theater, which also features musical acts and kids’ shows as well.
—Peter Cameron, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Proud of our players for making plays down the stretch in critical situations.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play down
Verb
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On Wednesday, in documents obtained by Rolling Stone, a California superior court judge overseeing the lawsuit ruled in favor of Kardashian and the anti-SLAPP motion, effectively dismissing the other Cantu’s lawsuit, though the judge left open the possibility of an appeal.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
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This company’s approach to pest control begins with a philosophy that dismisses the business-as-usual assumptions.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Like machines, most companies are designed to create efficient, predictable outcomes; minimize risk; and eliminate variation.—
Jana Werner,
Harvard Business Review,
5 Nov. 2025
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The medication contains a small amount of radioactive material, which means it must be handled carefully to minimize radiation exposure.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Smith ran down the sideline and broke away from Livingstone’s defense inside of four minutes left in regulation, helping the Golden Bulls run out the clock.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Nov. 2025
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For more than 50 years, the harrowing Vietnam War image, which shows a nine-year-old girl named Kim Phúc running down a road naked, her clothes burned off in a napalm attack, has been credited to an Associated Press photographer named Nick Út.—
Maria Fontoura,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In a separate interview with CNN on Wednesday, Luntz also downplayed inflation as an election issue and drew a distinction with affordability.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
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One military leader did not name Bahonar but criticized officials who downplay the importance of the hijab mandate.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The show never talks down to the audience.—
Rachel DeSantis,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
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Never met someone successful ever talking down to someone online.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 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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In the end, the power of the Cheney name was greatly diminished in GOP politics.—
Don Gonyea,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
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The business community is bracing to wake up Wednesday reminded of their diminishing power in their own backyard.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Foxworth stayed on the show until she was written off in the fourth season, and her character disappeared altogether.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
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With each dramatic turn the show has taken, several fan-favorite characters have been written off the show.—
Dana Rose Falcone,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20down. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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