1
as in dismissing
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 minimizing
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 playing down
There’s usually a physical requirement, as well as severely playing down the high-wattage glamor that got you on red carpets in the first place.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025
The Chiefs know something about playing down a man or two at the position.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2025
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025
The Chiefs know something about playing down a man or two at the position.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing down
Verb
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The latest clash reflects a broader pattern, with Netanyahu’s government having chronic tensions with the military echelon since the cabinet was sworn in in January 2023, often dismissing military advice.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
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In fact, toxic positivity is very different from overall, everyday positivity and can lead to minimizing or entirely dismissing real experiences and emotions that are felt and experienced.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The schedule will continue to get tougher from here, so minimizing those first quarter mistakes will be essential.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
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Its guidelines include optimizing thermostat settings, minimizing electricity and hot water use, and leveraging natural light.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
7 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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Keeping their businesses small, avoiding bold money moves, and downplaying financial goals are all ways of playing small.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
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In follow-up questions, ranking Democrat Ron Wyden pressed O’Neill on statements by Kennedy downplaying the safety and effectiveness of vaccines to prevent measles and other diseases.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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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The difference is the wisdom to recognize that giving away public-trust land and diminishing our quality of life forsakes the permanent greater good for the temporary benefit of a few developers and residents.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
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In an era of diminishing trust in government institutions and the media, conspiracy theories about high-profile crimes can get significant traction in the absence of a conclusive motive.—
Ernesto Londoño,
Twin Cities,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Instead of writing off entire nations, development banks could channel financing to subnational jurisdictions that demonstrate resilience.—
Robert Ginsburg,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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But folks aren’t writing off Clemson now.—
Bruce Feldman,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Playing down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing%20down. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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