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
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
The statement also de-emphasizes language toward tech and high-end manufacturing.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
The states follow a larger nationwide trend where higher incomes often correlate with higher education attainment, and the culture within each state might also contribute or de-emphasize the importance of education or intelligence.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
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
The statement also de-emphasizes language toward tech and high-end manufacturing.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
The states follow a larger nationwide trend where higher incomes often correlate with higher education attainment, and the culture within each state might also contribute or de-emphasize the importance of education or intelligence.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-emphasize
Verb
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Schedule your charges when electric rates are the lowest to minimize these costs.—
LEW SICHELMAN,
Miami Herald,
25 Feb. 2025
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Packed with reflective pearls and blurring pigments, the tint aims to minimize color imperfections while hydrating and evening your skin tone.—
Averi Baudler,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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While city officials have downplayed characterizations by President Donald Trump and others that the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, had taken over the city, Chamberlain did assert Wednesday that its members controlled several parts of the complex.—
Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton,
The Denver Post,
19 Feb. 2025
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That clearly has not happened, and lawsuits are pressing that idea further, leaving the White House desperately trying to downplay weeks of Musk’s spotlight-stealing efforts.—
Philip Elliott,
TIME,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Last month, federal prosecutors in Texas dismissed charges against a doctor accused of unlawfully sharing health records from a children's hospital there.—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
18 Feb. 2025
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However, Cave pushed back against the idea of fully dismissing an artist’s work due to their personal failings.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
18 Feb. 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 Mar. 2025.
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