as in minimizing
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-emphasizing
Old-line liberals have blasted the democratic socialist for de-emphasizing a police presence in favor of volunteers and contract workers armed with little more than overdose kits, notepads and phone numbers.
—
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
The Giants also appear to be de-emphasizing Dart as a runner to keep him healthy, which could lead to him getting a higher volume of passing attempts in Week 15.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 14 Dec. 2025
Atmos Rewards functions as a third front door to Alaska/Hawaiian, intentionally de-emphasizing airline branding to enable expansion across the broader travel ribbon.
—Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Critics argue that the Dalai Lama’s middle way, which prioritizes dialogue and reconciliation while de-emphasizing mass mobilization, has kept the movement from reaching its full potential and leveraging its explosive strength in the struggle against Beijing.
—Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
The Giants also appear to be de-emphasizing Dart as a runner to keep him healthy, which could lead to him getting a higher volume of passing attempts in Week 15.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 14 Dec. 2025
Atmos Rewards functions as a third front door to Alaska/Hawaiian, intentionally de-emphasizing airline branding to enable expansion across the broader travel ribbon.
—Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Critics argue that the Dalai Lama’s middle way, which prioritizes dialogue and reconciliation while de-emphasizing mass mobilization, has kept the movement from reaching its full potential and leveraging its explosive strength in the struggle against Beijing.
—Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-emphasizing
Verb
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Sponsored and provided by LifeBridge Health Maintaining adequate nutrition during cancer treatment is important for sustaining strength, minimizing side effects and supporting the best treatment response possible.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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The plan also is aimed at minimizing its impact on the neighborhood.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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More than half reported hiding or downplaying their identity.—
Arielle Kaden,
New York Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Kennedy dismissed a key panel of 17 experts who advise CDC on its vaccine decisions last year, replacing them with his own picks, many of whom have emphasized the risks of vaccines while downplaying their health benefits.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Minnesota public universities can continue to offer in-state tuition and scholarships to some immigrants in the country without legal status, a federal judge ruled on Friday, dismissing a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice last summer that attempted to halt the programs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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While widely dismissing the appeal, the Court also referred preliminary questions to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) regarding certain aspects of the obligation mechanism, leaving the legal debate open.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“De-emphasizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-emphasizing. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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