play down

verb

played down; playing down; plays down

transitive verb

: to attach little importance to : minimize

Synonyms

• bad-mouth
• belittle
• cry down
• decry
• denigrate
• deprecate
• depreciate
• derogate
• diminish
• dis [slang]
• diss
• discount
• dismiss
• disparage
• kiss off
• minimize
• poor-mouth
• put down
• run down
• talk down
• trash
• trash-talk
• vilipend
• write off

Examples of play down in a Sentence

out of sheer envy, she would always play down her sister's accomplishments

if you play down your part in the project, you won't get the credit you deserve

Recent Examples on the Web

Too often, benefits are exaggerated and risks played down—a formula especially dangerous for adolescents and those suffering from chronic conditions. —Michel Van Harten, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024

At a news conference in Brussels, EU Affairs Minister Janos Boka of Hungary played down the commission’s concerns. —Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2024

India’s central bank chief plays down fears of a deposit crunch. —Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2024

Shanahan got so bored early he got caught looking at his tablet on a play down the sideline and the 49ers were flagged for being off the sideline on a 63-yard kickoff return by Kearis Jackson. —Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

play down

verb

: to attach little importance to : minimize