1
as in dismissed
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 minimized
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 played down
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
Government officials played down the apparent military takeover and said the coup had been stopped.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
While Petro repeatedly promoted the idea of a return to Gran Colombia, his right-hand man, Benedetti played down the president’s rhetoric.
—Alfie Pannell, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025
Freeman played down the epic nature of his homer to seal a game that officially lasted six hours and 39 minutes.
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 28 Oct. 2025
While primarily utilized as a winger during his career, Dembélé often played down the middle for Luis Enrique’s side, spearheading a fluent and formidable front three, flanked by the dynamic Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
—David Close, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Throughout the war, Israeli officials have consistently played down the severity of hunger in Gaza.
—Pablo Robles, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
That would seem to bode well for a team that has rarely played down to its competition this season.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Trump played down expectations ahead of the meeting.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025
Ian King, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025
Government officials played down the apparent military takeover and said the coup had been stopped.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
While Petro repeatedly promoted the idea of a return to Gran Colombia, his right-hand man, Benedetti played down the president’s rhetoric.
—Alfie Pannell, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025
Freeman played down the epic nature of his homer to seal a game that officially lasted six hours and 39 minutes.
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 28 Oct. 2025
While primarily utilized as a winger during his career, Dembélé often played down the middle for Luis Enrique’s side, spearheading a fluent and formidable front three, flanked by the dynamic Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
—David Close, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Throughout the war, Israeli officials have consistently played down the severity of hunger in Gaza.
—Pablo Robles, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
That would seem to bode well for a team that has rarely played down to its competition this season.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Trump played down expectations ahead of the meeting.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played down
Verb
-
Sprowls sued, and an appellate court dismissed the lawsuit, siding with the county party, Davis said.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
-
In November, a federal judge dismissed the charges against both Comey and James, finding that Halligan had been unlawfully appointed.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Many owners treat labor as a cost to be minimized, but that’s like trying to save money by using less salt.—
Lewis Schiff,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The implications are far reaching — with the recognition that abuse reports are not discretionary, but mandatory, retaliation would be minimized.—
Mary Buser,
New York Daily News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The practice of fascism supersedes its ideas, which is why people affected and diminished by it are not all that interested in a marketplace of ideas in which fascists have prime purchasing power.—
Aleksandar Hemon,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Reduced star ratings result in lower reimbursement and diminished capacity to provide attractive benefits to draw in members.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While Brown did not speak to reporters after the 23-19 loss, Sirianni downplayed the incident during his postgame news conference.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
When Oden walked onto the floor for the start of the third OT, Boise State coach Leon Rice ran down the sideline, waving the real-time box score that is distributed to the teams and media during timeouts; the printout had Oden with five fouls.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The team security guard who ran down the back hallway, ecstatic.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While Joan is visiting the Westside Hospital with her students, Michael (Omar Metwally) offers her the Chief of Internal Medicine position after she, not very subtly, told him not to hire anyone who is asking for it and talked down other potential candidates.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
30 Sep. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Played down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played%20down. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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