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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of play down
Republicans have been quick to either brush off or play down Higgins’s comments.
—
Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Sep. 2024
After a Miami punt, the Packers went 12 plays down the field, and Josh Jacobs finished the job.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 29 Nov. 2024
As speculation intensified that Trump might pick him as his running mate, Rubio sought to play down the tension from 2016, suggesting the heated tone simply reflected the intensity of a campaign.
—Zeke Miller, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2024
To make matters worse for the Bears (4-4), rookie quarterback Caleb Williams tweaked his ankle on the final play down 20 points.
—Elizabeth Both, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for play down 
Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Sep. 2024
After a Miami punt, the Packers went 12 plays down the field, and Josh Jacobs finished the job.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 29 Nov. 2024
As speculation intensified that Trump might pick him as his running mate, Rubio sought to play down the tension from 2016, suggesting the heated tone simply reflected the intensity of a campaign.
—Zeke Miller, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2024
To make matters worse for the Bears (4-4), rookie quarterback Caleb Williams tweaked his ankle on the final play down 20 points.
—Elizabeth Both, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for play down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play down
Verb
-
Shostak dismisses the idea that people would panic, given that most Americans believe that aliens exist.Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
-
The family of another employee, Johnny Peterson, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the company and its owner, Gerald O’Connor, who said the workers were dismissed with enough time to escape.Travis Loller, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
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
-
So, based on what is known now, here is a look at how to position your savings, minimize your debts and best situate your investments for the new year.Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Our Harrison Campbell ran down five TSSAA football playoff games across the state that might feature upsets this week.Tyler Palmateer, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
-
Below, the executive runs down some of the career highlights from his time at the studio.Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Sara Kelly, Starbucks’ executive vice president and chief partner officer, downplayed the impact of the strikes in a public letter to employees late Monday.Max Zahn, ABC News, 24 Dec. 2024
-
Perhaps most striking, 1 in 5 consistently downplayed their loneliness, often feeling the need to project an image of composure and control.Julian Hayes II, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
However, if a new client rejects strategies, expects unrealistic results and/or talks down to my team—then that client will no longer be a client.Expert Panel®, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
-
The two countries eventually signed a trade deal that was meant to lead to more trade talks down the line.Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 26 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
The Yankees’ decision to go with Goldschmidt on a one-year contract is not without risk given his age and diminishing skills.Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
-
The district is set to ask the Metro Council for use of $12 million surplus funds to partially offset the diminishing pandemic money.Maria Leontaras, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The car was completely written off but God saved him.Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024
-
He’s written off so many losses to off nights or hot shooting performances by opponents.Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 28 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near play down
Cite this Entry
“Play down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20down. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share