1
as in dismisses
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 minimizes
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 plays down
The two guards closed the fourth quarter in a close win over the Sky and star Angel Reese with each making dazzling plays down the stretch.
—
Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
He’s made plays down the field all summer and the Jets don’t have many viable deep threats.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025
Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
He’s made plays down the field all summer and the Jets don’t have many viable deep threats.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plays down
Verb
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As for the third criticism—that the point system is gamification, trivializing death and destruction—Prickly dismisses it out of hand.—
Tamar Jacoby,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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The poem dismisses prevailing emphases on externals, stressing instead the formative powers of one’s inner being.—
Daniella Walsh,
Oc Register,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The simulations on Summit allowed the team to test numerous complex 3D shapes to find one that passively minimizes energy loss.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
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This precaution minimizes electrical hazards during flooding.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Rosie runs down the road to greet her owner.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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Forbes senior contributor Dave Altavilla runs down the tech specs of the new platform and its developer tools.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The film’s overall low-key tenor downplays both moral judgment and conspicuous style, though neither are entirely lacking.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
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The piece downplays opposition.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Sep. 2025
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The incentive diminishes after a certain stage of growth and the curve takes on an S shape.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plays down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plays%20down. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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