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
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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
The azul and chrome won the round of 16 opener 3-2 at Snapdragon Stadium, holding on despite playing down one man for the most of the match and down two men for the final minutes of regulation and all of stoppage time.
—
Apress, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Instead of taking a low profile and playing down any claims to Taiwan’s independent status like his more cautious DPP predecessor Tsai Ying-wen, Lai has lurched toward formal independence with a succession of speeches making the case for Taiwanese nationhood.
—Lyle Goldstein, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Before this weekend’s game, Town manager Gavin Macpherson was playing down the rivalry.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
After a week of playing down to – and then slightly lower than – their last-place opponents, the Dodgers completed a three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies with a 9-0 victory on Wednesday night.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025
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
Apress, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Instead of taking a low profile and playing down any claims to Taiwan’s independent status like his more cautious DPP predecessor Tsai Ying-wen, Lai has lurched toward formal independence with a succession of speeches making the case for Taiwanese nationhood.
—Lyle Goldstein, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Before this weekend’s game, Town manager Gavin Macpherson was playing down the rivalry.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
After a week of playing down to – and then slightly lower than – their last-place opponents, the Dodgers completed a three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies with a 9-0 victory on Wednesday night.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing down
Verb
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Bangladesh was bowled out for 413 in its first innings, before taking a 27-run lead, dismissing Pakistan for 386 with offspinner Mehidy Hasan taking five wickets.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
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On Friday, Makary was privately dismissing the reports of his imminent ouster as false, those people said.—
Sarah Owermohle,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Verb
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But in our experience, many businesses benefit from a middle-ground strategy that maximizes compatibility while minimizing disruption.—
Thomas Berndorfer,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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These bachelor groups allow non-breeding males to live social lives while minimizing competition, the zoo says.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Witness shares video of police response A witness shared a video with CBS News Baltimore, showing officers running down Wilkens Avenue.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
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Concrete-block walls with pipes running down the tops of walls, piles of concrete, junk on top of junk.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Merck was accused of downplaying the significant cardiovascular risks associated with the drug.—
Sukhun Kang,
The Conversation,
6 May 2026
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To say Alma Allen’s presentation is highly anticipated would be downplaying things quite a bit.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
5 May 2026
Verb
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Politicos everywhere are talking down Johnson’s chances.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
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During his remarks, Beshear accused Vance, whose memoir explores issues such as poverty and the lack of opportunity in Appalachia and the Rust Belt, of talking down to the people of Kentucky.—
Hannah Demissie,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Wolves have not solved Wembanyama, who is significantly diminishing their inside presence.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
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Some are seeking better time slots paired with digital extensions that can net them bigger contracts from TV networks desperate to break free from diminishing pay TV revenue.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Look, writing off the Twins was stale before the season even started.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
4 May 2026
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The problem is that too much money is made writing off losses on empty properties.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Playing down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing%20down. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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