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
The delivery is automated and the process is de-emphasized, but the outcome is closer to what the client is truly searching for.
—
Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
Electric vehicles drew attention but were slighty de-emphasized at this year's Milwaukee Auto Show.
—Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025
Hill is shifting Nike back to sports, a priority that was de-emphasized under its former CEO.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
Cursive has been out of vogue for 15 years, after schools began adopting a Common Core curriculum, which de-emphasized the writing style.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
Electric vehicles drew attention but were slighty de-emphasized at this year's Milwaukee Auto Show.
—Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025
Hill is shifting Nike back to sports, a priority that was de-emphasized under its former CEO.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
Cursive has been out of vogue for 15 years, after schools began adopting a Common Core curriculum, which de-emphasized the writing style.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-emphasize
Verb
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The latter has a toning effect that minimizes the appearance of pores, leaving skin visibly smoother.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
24 Aug. 2025
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Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics professionals must continue to make the science accessible by knowing audiences, minimizing jargon, using analogies or real-world examples, and applying miniature, meaningful, and memorable (3M’s) messaging.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Still, at least one analyst downplayed the influence of Nvidia’s mystery customers.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
29 Aug. 2025
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Getty Images American Taylor Townsend downplayed the potential racial undertones in her US Open second-round opponent’s post-match comments.—
Adam Zagoria,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Thailand's Constitutional Court dismissed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office on Friday for an ethics violation after only a year in power, dealing another crushing blow to the Shinawatra political dynasty that could usher in a new period of turmoil.—
Panarat Thepgumpanat,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
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The company was widely dismissed as a relic of declining foot traffic and a fad retail concept that had already peaked.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Nothing grates quite like those slick pharmaceutical ads blaring across the TV, promising quick fixes while soft-pedaling potential side effects.—
Alex Ward,
Boston Herald,
15 Aug. 2025
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This soft-pedalling impulse is evident in the revival’s treatment of Hank’s next-door neighbor Dale, a conspiracy nut who blames the U.N., the U.S. military, and the Cuban government for life’s inconveniences.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“De-emphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-emphasize. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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