as in to minimize
to reduce in apparent importance
you're at a point in your career where you can de-emphasize your academic record and emphasize your work experience
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Recent Examples of de-emphasize
The Cost of Disconnection Organizations that de-emphasize inclusion and connection risk significant problems.
—
Teresa Hopke, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
However, some Christians have criticized the musical for de-emphasizing the divinity of Jesus and showing Judas as a sympathetic character.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
But its muted black-and-white layout appears to be an attempt by the lawyers to de-emphasize the frenzy that has surrounded their client, said Diana Rickard, a professor who teaches criminal justice at Borough of Manhattan Community College.
—Hurubie Meko, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Since the late 1990s, most American students have been taught to read according to an approach called balanced literacy, which de-emphasizes phonics and explicit decoding in favor of fostering pleasure in reading.
—Thomas Howell, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Teresa Hopke, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
However, some Christians have criticized the musical for de-emphasizing the divinity of Jesus and showing Judas as a sympathetic character.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
But its muted black-and-white layout appears to be an attempt by the lawyers to de-emphasize the frenzy that has surrounded their client, said Diana Rickard, a professor who teaches criminal justice at Borough of Manhattan Community College.
—Hurubie Meko, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Since the late 1990s, most American students have been taught to read according to an approach called balanced literacy, which de-emphasizes phonics and explicit decoding in favor of fostering pleasure in reading.
—Thomas Howell, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-emphasize
Verb
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South Korea’s acting President, Han Duck-soo, ordered emergency support measures for industries and businesses that will be impacted, including the automobile industry, ordering officials to actively negotiate with Washington to minimize the impact of additional levies.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2025
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Studies show that nitrates may minimize the thickening of blood vessels that may cause heart disease (atherosclerosis).—
Melissa Nieves,
Verywell Health,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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And on Sunday, President Donald Trump downplayed the size of the outbreak and the need for action.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2025
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At the time, Kennedy, who has a history of vaccine skepticism, appeared to downplay concerns about the significance of the outbreak.—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In film school, games and anime aren’t celebrated, they’re dismissed.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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The company filed two motions to dismiss the case, one for lack of jurisdiction and the other on grounds that consumer fraud laws do not govern editorial speech.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
7 Apr. 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
“De-emphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-emphasize. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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