1
as in to dismiss
to express scornfully one's low opinion of
out of sheer envy, she would always play down her sister's accomplishments
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to minimize
to reduce in apparent importance
if you play down your part in the project, you won't get the credit you deserve
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of play down
Under the direction of Sam Yates and adapted by Simon Stephens, this reimagining of Chekhov’s classic strips the play down to its emotional core and unearths new truths in the play.
—
Darryn King, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
The impact 'shocking' halt on US aid to Ukraine could have on war
Lukashenko appeared to play down that issue.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2025
Pedro Neto was played down the wing, at which point Chelsea had five players up in support of the ball versus six Arsenal defenders.
—Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025
In remarks to local media ahead of a meeting with parliamentarians, Defense Minister Wellington Koo played down the significance of 2027, saying military planners always set a target timeline of one to two years in the future to test coordination while integrating new weapons systems.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play down
Darryn King, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
The impact 'shocking' halt on US aid to Ukraine could have on war
Lukashenko appeared to play down that issue.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2025
Pedro Neto was played down the wing, at which point Chelsea had five players up in support of the ball versus six Arsenal defenders.
—Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025
In remarks to local media ahead of a meeting with parliamentarians, Defense Minister Wellington Koo played down the significance of 2027, saying military planners always set a target timeline of one to two years in the future to test coordination while integrating new weapons systems.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play down
Verb
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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
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In film school, games and anime aren’t celebrated, they’re dismissed.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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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Through its key complex, this shampoo is able to condition strands and minimize frizz without the weighty, greasy feel of heavier oils.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The trend over the past two years of the relative strength of shipments compared to the weakness of new orders, unfilled orders, and inventories appears to indicate that companies have been burning off their backlogs and running down work-in-progress inventories.—
Jason Schenker,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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Listen to this article About a dozen other hikers were nearby Sunday morning when a young man running down the popular Cowles Mountain trail in San Carlos stopped and fired a gun at a group of young men holding rocks who were chasing him and his female companion, according to a witness.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 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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Yet too often, women downplay their financial goals to avoid judgment.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Trump acknowledged in a Fox News Radio interview with Brian Kilmeade that Russia attacked Ukraine but still suggested former President Biden and Zelensky shared blame for failing to talk down Moscow.—
Brett Samuels,
The Hill,
21 Feb. 2025
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But Jones has talked down a possible bout with Aspinall and suggested that a battle with current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira made more sense to him.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 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
Verb
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The VMAs, which have seen their social capital diminish over the past few years, delivered a promising ceremony in 2024.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2025
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As time went on, her pain diminished, but August decided to go to the emergency room.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Private jet John and Joanna French won their case in 1990 to write off their private jet on their 1984 taxes.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2025
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Her character was eventually written off the latter series, which Carpenter has said was directly related to her decision to have a baby.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20down. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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