PLAYING DOWN Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

playing down

verb

present participle of play down

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 playing down Mudryk, a right-footed forward best known for playing down the left, is among Leeds’ preferred options and talks are ongoing with Chelsea, despite an initial knock-back. — Beren Cross, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 In response to the concerns, companies including Amazon and Microsoft have been playing down the issue, saying the data center water use can be done responsibly, or sourced from wastewater. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026 Mexico pledged to investigate the origins of the parasite outbreak, while playing down the idea that contamination occurred in its territory. — Jaewon Kang, Fortune, 18 July 2026 The game was in the 112th minute when Alvarez scored, a testimony to Switzerland’s outstanding defense, playing down a man since the 72nd minute. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026 The host nation won comfortably despite playing down a man from the 64th minute on. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 1 July 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 Ohtani was out of the lineup for the series opener against the Orioles, but the Dodgers did not opt to put him on the paternity list, temporarily playing down a player instead. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026 But after his early doom-laden predictions, Altman may now be an outlier among industry leaders in playing down the impact on work. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 26 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing down

Verb

Without billions in funding and a stadium site, the rest is flowery prose, but there is no sense in dismissing any potential bidder a year or two before the bidding opens.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
While speaking with Entertainment Weekly in September 2026, Mirren praised working with Brosnan and Hardy, dismissing rumors of tension on set with the latter.

— Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of dismissing

Verb

The campaign also places particular emphasis on technologies capable of defeating drones while minimizing collateral damage.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
In context of supination, this means minimizing the possibility of injuries; doling out a smoother, plusher ride; and kicking underpronation’s common side effects (think plantar fasciitis, ankle pain, and shin splints) to the curb.

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of minimizing

Verb

And this ratio has been declining since 2006, as evidenced by the major trend line running down the chart.

— Todd Gordon, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
Photos of Bellin's injuries taken after the incident showed Bellin with blood running down her face and left arm and hand.

— Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of running down

Verb

Baseball has a long tradition of players downplaying injuries, out of a desire to play and a belief in their own perseverance.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Those inside Netflix, per individuals with close knowledge of the company, are downplaying the significance of this theatrical flirtation.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of downplaying

Verb

Police chief Fuller is correct — talking down a place can be self-fulfilling.

— Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Leadership training disputes The lawsuit alleges Petersen began subjecting Kennon to discriminatory treatment around January 2024, including talking down to her, ignoring her and questioning her judgment.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of talking down

Verb

Meanwhile, the housing market is getting crushed by high mortgage rates and diminishing affordability, while consumers are carrying ever more expensive credit card and auto debt.

— John W. Diamond, The Conversation, 16 Sep. 2026
The risk of eroding trust and diminishing stakeholder confidence by staying silent is too high.

— Kristi Piehl, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026