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 Bobrovsky took a moment during a stoppage in play to talk with referee Kelly Sutherland, the veteran goaltender downplayed the events postgame.
—
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
And that’s not to downplay what actors do in any way.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 20 May 2025
Military upgrades should be concealed or downplayed until they are fielded to minimize the likelihood that China will effectively launch a coercive campaign against their deployment.
—Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025
The company has sought to downplay publishers’ concerns that A.I. will disrupt their businesses.
—Tripp Mickle, New York Times, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for downplay
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
And that’s not to downplay what actors do in any way.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 20 May 2025
Military upgrades should be concealed or downplayed until they are fielded to minimize the likelihood that China will effectively launch a coercive campaign against their deployment.
—Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025
The company has sought to downplay publishers’ concerns that A.I. will disrupt their businesses.
—Tripp Mickle, New York Times, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for downplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplay
Verb
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Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm: To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2025
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While not always the case, most stairwells are located in the center of a building, away from windows and exterior walls, which can help minimize damage from weather events.—
Maddie Topliff,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 June 2025
Verb
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The charges were dismissed because West’s cause of death was not determined, and some evidence had been illegally obtained. (Netflix) Lewis was convicted of six counts of mail fraud in a 1981 credit card scheme in Kansas City.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2025
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Baldwin — who denied pulling the trigger — was also put on trial for involuntary manslaughter last July, but the case was dismissed after the judge learned that prosecutors had withheld evidence from the defense.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
24 May 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 4 Jun. 2025.
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