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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Recent Examples of downplay
The cover song itself — recorded by Kardashian and produced by Barker — is severely downplayed.
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EW.com, 23 Dec. 2024
Most importantly, the book doesn't downplay his queerness.
—Neda Ulaby, NPR, 23 Dec. 2024
After the gathering, the Speaker downplayed concerns from Republicans who said the bill is akin to an omnibus.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024
Trying to downplay or outright ignore the crisis will only make a brand look bad in the eyes of consumers.
—Emily Reynolds Bergh, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for downplay 
EW.com, 23 Dec. 2024
Most importantly, the book doesn't downplay his queerness.
—Neda Ulaby, NPR, 23 Dec. 2024
After the gathering, the Speaker downplayed concerns from Republicans who said the bill is akin to an omnibus.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024
Trying to downplay or outright ignore the crisis will only make a brand look bad in the eyes of consumers.
—Emily Reynolds Bergh, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for downplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplay
Verb
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In the future, treatments will be customized to an individual’s DNA, maximizing medication efficacy and minimizing side effects.Elizabeth Kiehner, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
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Local dining supports area farmers and minimizes the distance your food travels.AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The judge issued a ruling to nolle the charges against him, meaning they would be dismissed.David R. Cameron, Hartford Courant, 31 Dec. 2024
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But dismissing these alternatives outright misses the point.Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The movie One of the darkest true stories on this list, An American Crime never undersells or soft-pedals the ceaseless agony of Likens’ ordeal.Declan Gallagher and Chris Bellamy, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024
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Popular on Variety Navarro doesn’t soft-pedal her disdain for recent remarks former President Donald Trump has made about immigrants eating dogs and cats — just one of the hot topics Phillip and a shifting ensemble of pundits, reporters and experts tackle each weeknight.Brian Steinberg, Variety, 18 Sep. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Downplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplay. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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