as in to minimize
to reduce in apparent importance
he self-deprecatingly downplays his own contributions to the festival's success
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of downplay
While some fans have expressed concern over the absence of fellow Neptunes producer Chad Hugo, the Clipse brothers are downplaying the impact.
—
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 July 2025
In the coming decades, the teaching of evolution was absent or downplayed in much of the country.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 8 July 2025
The remedy, many concluded, lies in turning a bit to the right, downplaying such issues as climate change and paying more attention to bread-and-butter concerns.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 8 July 2025
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a statement on March 10, downplayed the role of climate change within the DOD, The Independent reported.
—Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for downplay
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 July 2025
In the coming decades, the teaching of evolution was absent or downplayed in much of the country.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 8 July 2025
The remedy, many concluded, lies in turning a bit to the right, downplaying such issues as climate change and paying more attention to bread-and-butter concerns.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 8 July 2025
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a statement on March 10, downplayed the role of climate change within the DOD, The Independent reported.
—Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for downplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplay
Verb
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These workshops taught cognitive skills aimed at maximizing the strengths and minimizing the weaknesses typically associated with their specific most strongly outlying trait.—
Maia Szalavitz,
Scientific American,
7 July 2025
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That's why ignoring minor misbehavior (as long as no one is being harmed) and praising positive choices is one of the most effective ways to manage and minimize attention-seeking behaviors.1 2.—
Amy Morin,
Parents,
7 July 2025
Verb
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With the reciprocal tariffs, Trump is dismissing the rules governing world trade.—
Aamer Madhani,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
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They have since been dismissed by the local solicitor general's office, WSB-TV reported.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
Verb
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In 2024, Paul Weiss didn’t soft-pedal its liberal leanings.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2025
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Goldberg Tuesday scoffed at the denials and efforts to soft-pedal the extent and potential danger of the breach.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplay. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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