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
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
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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But dismissing the rise in antisemitism as mere policing of speech about Israel is disingenuous and dangerous.—
Dafna Michaelson Jenet,
Denver Post,
12 Oct. 2025
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Less than four months later, though, a California judge stopped her in her tracks, dismissing her entire complaint on a technicality.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This high power-to-weight ratio is critical for aviation, where minimizing weight is essential for efficiency and operational viability.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
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With help from melon antioxidants, peptides, and SPF, the hydrating product shields your skin from harmful rays while also minimizing fine lines.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There were new takes on its Serpenti Cuore 1968 featuring enamel running down its sinuous handle and the smaller Cuoricini version offered in an array of jewel tones.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
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On that snap to Herbert, the play-clock was running down, Bonitto recalled.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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City leaders are downplaying speculation about a potential serial killer, but retired NYPD Sgt.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
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Critics contend that the administration’s aim is to present a sanitized version of history, downplaying bitter episodes, including racial oppression and sexism.—
Megan O’Matz,
ProPublica,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Worldfor never talking down to me or being too afraid to address the hard things in life.—
Anna Earl,
Parents,
11 Sep. 2025
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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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But relying on a 35-year-old, who was already showing signs of decline with diminishing velocity, to return to being one of the best pitchers in the sport after Tommy John surgery, is a risk.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
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Their patches of habitat and their water sources are diminishing; their feeding timeline has grown increasingly erratic, and more barricades are being built all the time, limiting their freedom of movement.—
Ganesh Marín,
The Dial,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The mistake is writing off these sayings as coach speak.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
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No one is writing off the Lions by any means (Detroit and Green Bay have the shortest odds to win the NFC after Philadelphia).—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Playing down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing%20down. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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