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
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Recent Examples of talk down
Never met someone successful ever talking down to someone online.
—
Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
While Joan is visiting the Westside Hospital with her students, Michael (Omar Metwally) offers her the Chief of Internal Medicine position after she, not very subtly, told him not to hire anyone who is asking for it and talked down other potential candidates.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Challenge them, don’t talk down to them.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Worldfor never talking down to me or being too afraid to address the hard things in life.
—Anna Earl, Parents, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for talk down
Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
While Joan is visiting the Westside Hospital with her students, Michael (Omar Metwally) offers her the Chief of Internal Medicine position after she, not very subtly, told him not to hire anyone who is asking for it and talked down other potential candidates.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Challenge them, don’t talk down to them.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Worldfor never talking down to me or being too afraid to address the hard things in life.
—Anna Earl, Parents, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for talk down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for talk down
Verb
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In September, Hecox filed a notice to dismiss the lawsuit.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
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Why was Alabama’s 31-17 loss to a 4-8 FSU team so easily dismissed by the committee?—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Cruz and other Republicans argued the decision minimized the gravity of an attack on the judiciary and could encourage future political violence.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
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Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Still seething after a sloppy 19-16 loss to the Detroit Lions, Johnson wasn’t hiding his dissatisfaction with a defeat that seemed to diminish his team’s momentum.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Kaufman moved there 30 years ago, and since that time the island’s community has diminished by degrees, its youth lured away by better employment prospects in Provo and overseas.—
Henry Wismayer,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The contrast stripes running down the sides of the legs add a fun, sporty touch.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
13 Jan. 2026
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With the final seconds running down, Erickson elevated near the free-throw line and his shot fell through the net at the buzzer to ignite a wild on-court celebration.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sheinbaum, known for her cool, steely demeanor, sought to play down his comments.—
Mary Beth Sheridan,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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That someone can credibly play down low and also go coast to coast is what makes Barnes so irresistible.—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Talk down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talk%20down. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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