de-emphasize
verb
de-em·pha·size
(ˌ)dē-ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsīz 
de-emphasized; de-emphasizing; de-emphasizes
: to reduce in relative importance
also
: play down
Examples of de-emphasize in a Sentence
you're at a point in your career where you can de-emphasize your academic record and emphasize your work experience
Recent Examples on the Web
Microsoft’s Xbox Series X/S is the second-straight generation of Xbox hardware with falling sales, according to analysts, and the company’s leadership has de-emphasized its consoles in favor of promoting a message that gamers can play Xbox games on phones, smart TVs, VR headsets and other hardware.
—
Kif Leswing, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2025
For much of the 20th Century, Yale football was the biggest thing in the state, and pounded UConn annually at the Yale Bowl, but that changed when the Ivy League began de-emphasizing sports and UConn moved up to FBS.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 28 Mar. 2025
In a world where STEM and the high value of technical skills get a lot of attention, interpersonal skills can sometimes be de-emphasized, Duchene noted to Newsweek.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
Society has to encourage learning alongside and after formal education, de-emphasize risks of embarrassment, and celebrate the joy that comes with being seen and understood.
—Olivia Antigua, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
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Kif Leswing, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2025
For much of the 20th Century, Yale football was the biggest thing in the state, and pounded UConn annually at the Yale Bowl, but that changed when the Ivy League began de-emphasizing sports and UConn moved up to FBS.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 28 Mar. 2025
In a world where STEM and the high value of technical skills get a lot of attention, interpersonal skills can sometimes be de-emphasized, Duchene noted to Newsweek.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
Society has to encourage learning alongside and after formal education, de-emphasize risks of embarrassment, and celebrate the joy that comes with being seen and understood.
—Olivia Antigua, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Cite this Entry
“De-emphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/de-emphasize. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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