1
as in to dismiss
to express scornfully one's low opinion of
out of sheer envy, she would always play down her sister's accomplishments
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to minimize
to reduce in apparent importance
if you play down your part in the project, you won't get the credit you deserve
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of play down
Republicans have been quick to either brush off or play down Higgins’s comments.
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Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Sep. 2024
After a Miami punt, the Packers went 12 plays down the field, and Josh Jacobs finished the job.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 29 Nov. 2024
As speculation intensified that Trump might pick him as his running mate, Rubio sought to play down the tension from 2016, suggesting the heated tone simply reflected the intensity of a campaign.
—Zeke Miller, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2024
To make matters worse for the Bears (4-4), rookie quarterback Caleb Williams tweaked his ankle on the final play down 20 points.
—Elizabeth Both, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for play down 
Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Sep. 2024
After a Miami punt, the Packers went 12 plays down the field, and Josh Jacobs finished the job.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 29 Nov. 2024
As speculation intensified that Trump might pick him as his running mate, Rubio sought to play down the tension from 2016, suggesting the heated tone simply reflected the intensity of a campaign.
—Zeke Miller, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2024
To make matters worse for the Bears (4-4), rookie quarterback Caleb Williams tweaked his ankle on the final play down 20 points.
—Elizabeth Both, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for play down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play down
Verb
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The judge issued a ruling to nolle the charges against him, meaning they would be dismissed.David R. Cameron, Hartford Courant, 31 Dec. 2024
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Musk publicly dismissed these worries, but environmental groups successfully pressured Tesla to reduce its water consumption.Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In the future, treatments will be customized to an individual’s DNA, maximizing medication efficacy and minimizing side effects.Elizabeth Kiehner, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
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Local dining supports area farmers and minimizes the distance your food travels.AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Our Harrison Campbell ran down five TSSAA football playoff games across the state that might feature upsets this week.Tyler Palmateer, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
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Below, the executive runs down some of the career highlights from his time at the studio.Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Modi and many of his BJP allies have spent years demonizing cow-killers while at the same time downplaying lynching reports.Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
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Georgian Dream officials have repeatedly downplayed the prospect of U.S. sanctions.Nana Sajaia, Fox News, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
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However, if a new client rejects strategies, expects unrealistic results and/or talks down to my team—then that client will no longer be a client.Expert Panel®, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
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The two countries eventually signed a trade deal that was meant to lead to more trade talks down the line.Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 26 Nov. 2024
Verb
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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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Popular on Variety Navarro doesn’t soft-pedal her disdain for recent remarks former President Donald Trump has made about immigrants eating dogs and cats — just one of the hot topics Phillip and a shifting ensemble of pundits, reporters and experts tackle each weeknight.Brian Steinberg, Variety, 18 Sep. 2024
Verb
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The Yankees’ decision to go with Goldschmidt on a one-year contract is not without risk given his age and diminishing skills.Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
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The district is set to ask the Metro Council for use of $12 million surplus funds to partially offset the diminishing pandemic money.Maria Leontaras, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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After going winless in conference play and losing 10 straight to end 2023, the Commodores were written off as schedule fodder that the SEC’s title contenders could use to pad their win total.J.J. Bailey, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
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During this two-year period, a mix of crafty and bumbling crooks took advantage of a tax loophole that — not unlike the plot hatched in Mel Brooks’ The Producers — allowed labels to write off losses on albums that had supposedly flopped.Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near play down
Cite this Entry
“Play down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20down. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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