PLAYS DOWN Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

plays down

verb

Definition of plays down next

present tense third-person singular of play down

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 plays down Bench energizer Chendall Weaver, combo guard Simeon Wilcher and bruising forward Lassina Traore — the only three Longhorns who see regular minutes off the bench — each made crucial plays down the stretch as Texas (13-9, 4-5 SEC) pulled away for a road win against one of its fiercest rivals. —

Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026 Continue reading … POLITICS NO ENTRY ZONE – Israel shuts door on Turkey in Gaza as Trump praises Erdogan, plays down clash. —

FOXNews.com, 5 Jan. 2026 The Bears relentlessly attacked Brown deep down the field, and the Niners’ safety — who made several nice plays down as a de facto linebacker — gave up two first-half touchdowns on deep balls. —

Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025 Mims made big plays down the stretch, too. —

Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025 Standing at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Tyson has great speed and athleticism to make plays down the field. —

Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025 Eventually, the Panthers will be able to make some big plays down the field with Horn extending his package of reps. —

Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2025 Chapman the Seagull Chapman plays down his part in Brighton becoming known as ‘Seagulls’ by fans during the 1970s. —

Andy Naylor, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025 Proud of our players for making plays down the stretch in critical situations. —

Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plays down

Verb

Henry dismisses Yasmin but can’t shake the niggling feeling that his wife isn’t entirely wrong.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Eduardo Bolsonaro dismisses concerns that the current electoral scenario could split the vote and lead to a first-round electoral victory for Lula.

— David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026