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
When reminded that there is a trip to Las Vegas involved, Hayes didn’t hesitate to talk down any excitement for that.
—
Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
The show never talks down to the audience.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for talk down
Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
The show never talks down to the audience.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for talk down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for talk down
Verb
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Mangione's defense team is also trying to get two federal counts against him, including the one that brings the possibility of the death penalty, dismissed.—
Lisa Rozner,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
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Buss reportedly was upset with the way James dismissed his part in pursuing Westbrook and blamed others after the move failed, according to ESPN.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
23 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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Sources at the club who spoke to The Athletic on condition of anonymity to protect relationships say there is no diminishing faith in Hurzeler at boardroom level.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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And some poor choices have not diminished the status of the Norwegian Nobel Committee as the international arbiter of moral courage.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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With the shot clock running down, Franklin passed the ball from the near mid-pool to Franklin positioned in front of the Beckman goal.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
23 Jan. 2026
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People just running down the street.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For all the desire to play down the symbolism, the occasion of Rushdie’s film debut has evoked something more…reflective.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Jan. 2026
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Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary with the Department of Homeland Security, played down the injury and denied the allegations in statements to The Times this week.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Talk down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talk%20down. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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