as in to minimize
to reduce in apparent importance
he self-deprecatingly downplays his own contributions to the festival's success
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of downplay
Under his administration, some EPA scientists say they were pressured to downplay the risks of new chemicals, according to reporting by ProPublica.
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Benji Jones, Vox, 28 Jan. 2025
Carroll, a Marin County native and product of Redwood High, even downplayed the aspect of winning the fourth Lombardi Trophy for the franchise.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2025
Johnson left the Cowboys due to differences with Jones over player personnel and comments the owner made in public downplaying his coaching abilities after winning his second straight Super Bowl.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2025
Despite this, Trump has downplayed climate change's role.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for downplay 
Benji Jones, Vox, 28 Jan. 2025
Carroll, a Marin County native and product of Redwood High, even downplayed the aspect of winning the fourth Lombardi Trophy for the franchise.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2025
Johnson left the Cowboys due to differences with Jones over player personnel and comments the owner made in public downplaying his coaching abilities after winning his second straight Super Bowl.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2025
Despite this, Trump has downplayed climate change's role.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for downplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplay
Verb
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Why did so many economists and policymakers minimize the potential devastation that free trade with China would wreak on many Americans?—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2025
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Our limited newsletter series guides you on how to minimize your personal role in the climate crisis — and reduce your eco-anxiety.—
Martha Shade,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Chutkan granted a request from Smith to dismiss the case after Mr. Trump won the presidential election in November because of a Justice Department policy that forbids the prosecution of a sitting president.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2025
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In October, San Diego Superior Court Judge Aaron Katz dismissed the charge against Lor, ruling that the law requires the threat be specific toward the person allegedly threatened.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
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
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Cite this Entry
“Downplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplay. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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