as in to minimize
to reduce in apparent importance
you're at a point in your career where you can de-emphasize your academic record and emphasize your work experience
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Recent Examples of de-emphasize
Since the late 1990s, most American students have been taught to read according to an approach called balanced literacy, which de-emphasizes phonics and explicit decoding in favor of fostering pleasure in reading.
—
Thomas Howell, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
He's made more than 60 appearances each of the last two seasons, and was much better for the Astros after the trade with the Yankees, de-emphasizing his four-seam fastball and increasing his breaking ball usage.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
One notable difference: The committee suggested that fat-free or low-fat dairy foods be de-emphasized as items for inclusion in a healthy dietary pattern and be taken off the primary list of foods.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024
But when they were added, the documents never de-emphasized earlier concerns.
—Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Thomas Howell, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
He's made more than 60 appearances each of the last two seasons, and was much better for the Astros after the trade with the Yankees, de-emphasizing his four-seam fastball and increasing his breaking ball usage.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
One notable difference: The committee suggested that fat-free or low-fat dairy foods be de-emphasized as items for inclusion in a healthy dietary pattern and be taken off the primary list of foods.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024
But when they were added, the documents never de-emphasized earlier concerns.
—Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-emphasize
Verb
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Regular use helps to minimize the appearance of pores, reduce dryness, and create a smoother, more polished look.3 8.—
Sohaib Imtiaz,
Verywell Health,
21 Mar. 2025
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Such programs help ensure that employees behave ethically and minimize disruptions to business operations—an attractive feature for building and maintaining intercompany relationships.—
Robert Anello,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Trump and other top administration officials have downplayed the use of the Signal to discuss the attack, saying classified information was not shared in the chat, despite the exchange including information on the weapons systems being used and the timing of the strikes.—
Katherine Faulders,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2025
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Rader downplayed the difference in numbers between his findings and the CDC data, emphasizing that, while accurate, the CDC data does not provide a complete picture — despite its best intentions.—
Shiv Sudhakar,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The case was dismissed after the judge overseeing the case ruled prosecutors did not properly turn over evidence to the defense.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2025
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Even when your partner makes an effort to reconnect — through a joke, a kind gesture or an apology — your mind may dismiss it, keeping you stuck in the negative experience.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Jean-Baptiste, her mouth set in a tight-lipped frown, her eyes ablaze with fear and loathing, soft-pedals nothing.—
Justin Chang,
The New Yorker,
3 Jan. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“De-emphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-emphasize. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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