TALK DOWN Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

talk down

verb

Definition of talk down

as in to dismiss

to express scornfully one's low opinion of a company that prefers to talk up its own products rather than talk down those of its competitors

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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 talk down Not talking down to them, and tackling real subject matter that’s universal, about family and relationships and nature versus nurture and grief. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2026 The Malheur standoff also drew in the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team, which Northern California sheriffs credited for talking down the Henrichsens and ending last month’s kidnapping without bloodshed. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 9 Aug. 2026 The influencer, or their manager, already expects to be talked down. — Chris Ryan, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026 Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris O’Dowd, and Bryan Cranston lead an excellent voice cast in a family film that doesn’t talk down to the little ones while also providing cozy comfort for their parents. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for talk down

Recent Examples of Synonyms for talk down

Verb

State officials dismissed the allegation as speculation but explicitly warned the Authority not to pay higher rates for work assigned to those $35-an-hour positions.

— Julie Watts, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026
Insurance agent Ken McFeeters filed a lawsuit challenging the senator’s eligibility based on residency requirements, but the lawsuit was dismissed.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of dismiss

Verb

The seat is opening up because of Daines’s retirement, who chose not to run for a third term minutes before the March filing deadline to minimize the risk that Alme would attract a major challenger.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
Washington and European capitals are now trying to minimize their exposure.

— Tom Moerenhout, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of minimize

Verb

Except in the extreme, legislators are loath to devalue local autonomy while also prioritizing delivery of state aid to diminish local tax burdens.

— David Bloomfield, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
While rain chances will diminish, clouds will hang tough through much of the day, and northeast winds will pick up slightly to 5 to 10 mph.

— Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminish

Verb

Although bullying usually runs down the chain of power – for example, from a boss to an employee – grade bullying flips that.

— Jason Walker, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026
The trial for a man accused of fatally running down his 17-year-old girlfriend in Burlington in 2023 continued Monday with his attorney disputing the findings of the medical examiner who ruled the death a homicide.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of run down

Verb

The ministry played down the significance of the incident, saying that alerts are distributed through regional and municipal systems such as sirens and loudspeakers, SMS messages and media broadcasts.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
Ace Bailey added 19 points and rookie Darryn Peterson had 18 but didn't play down the stretch or in overtime.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026