playing down

verb

Definition of playing downnext
present participle of play down
1
as in dismissing
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 minimizing
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing down
  1. dismissing
  2. minimizing
  3. downplaying
  4. diminishing
Verb
  • The issue of whether and how to change the Supreme Court is deeply polarizing along partisan lines, with many Democrats demanding change in recent years and most Republicans dismissing those demands as efforts to stop the court's shift to the right.
    Tobi Raji The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 8 Dec. 2024
  • In late November, the team fired general manager Joe Douglas, just six weeks after dismissing head coach Robert Saleh.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
Definition of dismissing
Verb
  • In addition to minimizing the effects of UV damage, this serum also features pumpkin ferment and pomegranate extract—both of which help to dissolve dead skin cells, thus reducing the appearance of pores, acne, and overall dullness.
    Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Sponsorship and partnership initiatives continue to push these benefits, as highlighted by NASCAR's VP of Partnership Marketing, Michelle Byron, who has commented on the dedication of partners like Growth Energy in minimizing NASCAR's environmental footprint.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Definition of minimizing
Verb
  • Generalizing positivity in all situations can lead to denying or downplaying real emotions or even logical counterarguments to a superficially optimistic perception.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
  • Tangent Vance doubled down on his claims, insisting on CNN that constituents reported to his office directly that their pets were being taken and eaten and accusing the media of downplaying the incidents.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
Definition of downplaying
Verb
  • Climate change exacerbates the threats with rising temperatures disrupting migration patterns and diminishing the availability of milkweed, the monarch caterpillar's essential food source.
    Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Some experts are wary that a new administration that is less focused on renewable energy could thwart some of solar’s growth by diminishing the IRA tax credits or imposing tariffs that could increase the cost of building solar panels.
    Sarah Sax, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
Definition of diminishing
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near playing down

playing ball

playing down

playing ducks and drakes with

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Cite this Entry

“Playing down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing%20down. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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