Synonyms of plays down

plays down

verb

present tense third-person singular of play down

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

• dismisses
• minimizes
• runs down
• diminishes
• talks down
• writes off
• cries down
• criticizes
• dumps on
• discounts
• denigrates
• puts down
• derogates
• kisses off
• trash-talks
• disparages
• deprecates
• belittles
• decries
• depreciates
• denounces
• vilipends
• poor-mouths
• condemns
• dislikes
• bad-mouths
• trashes
• disses
• scolds
• abuses
• disapproves (of)
• reprehends
• discommends
• discredits
• maligns
• slanders
• vilifies
• censures
• asperses
• slurs
• rips
• reprobates
• disgraces
• traduces
• defames

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praises
• exalts
• recommends
• applauds
• extols
• approves
• magnifies
• lauds
• glorifies
• favors
• endorses
• sanctions
• commends
• acclaims
• compliments
• countenances
• eulogizes

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

• minimizes
• downplays
• dismisses
• runs down
• soft-pedals
• talks down
• de-emphasizes
• understates
• cries down
• underplays
• puts down
• denigrates
• derogates
• kisses off
• trash-talks
• deprecates
• disparages
• belittles
• decries
• depreciates
• poor-mouths
• trashes
• bad-mouths

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exaggerates
• overstates
• overdraws
• elaborates
• stretches
• overdoes
• pads
• embellishes
• magnifies
• hedges
• embroiders
• fudges
• overemphasizes
• overplays
• melodramatizes
• sensationalizes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of plays down

If any lingering question of home-court advantage persisted, it was made crystal clear in the final 30 seconds who had the biggest backing, as Barclays erupted in celebration of the Liberty’s game-winning plays down the stretch. — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Wang plays down the potential for renegade robots to wreak havoc. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 July 2026

Even for the Kremlin, which often plays down painful setbacks, the stark reality has become hard to sidestep. — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 29 June 2026

Rhy made some huge plays down the stretch. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 10 June 2026

But, powered by veteran guard CJ McCollum and some gutsy defensive plays down the stretch, the Hawks won 107-106 to even the series at one game apiece. — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 21 Apr. 2026

The Hornets played great and made those plays down the stretch. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026

Santos, who scored a career-high 31 points in the Warriors win over Brooklyn on Wednesday, made several big plays down the stretch. — ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026

Valanciunas is slow-footed and plays down the floor in pick-and-roll coverage, leaving the Nuggets more vulnerable to pick-and-pop bigs and other ripple effects of their help rotations around the floor. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026