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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of play down
Advertisement The President has sought to play down his connection to Epstein over the years.
—
Rebecca Schneid, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
The two guards closed the fourth quarter in a close win over the Sky and star Angel Reese with each making dazzling plays down the stretch.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
There’s usually a physical requirement, as well as severely playing down the high-wattage glamor that got you on red carpets in the first place.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025
The Chiefs know something about playing down a man or two at the position.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play down
Rebecca Schneid, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
The two guards closed the fourth quarter in a close win over the Sky and star Angel Reese with each making dazzling plays down the stretch.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
There’s usually a physical requirement, as well as severely playing down the high-wattage glamor that got you on red carpets in the first place.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025
The Chiefs know something about playing down a man or two at the position.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play down
Verb
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And Tucker Carlson has gained attention with his own programming distributed via social and digital media, Their audiences can be smaller and more disparate than the ones that come to mainstream news outlets, but in an era of cord-cutting, their niche power is not to be dismissed.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
9 Oct. 2025
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In February, following a SAG Award win for her breakout role in Shōgun, Anna Sawai dismissed rumors that she had been cast as Yoko Ono for the film series.—
Sophie Williams,
Billboard,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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SpaceX took steps to minimize the chances that the problem would recur on Flight 8.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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The Brooke High Rise Straight, a narrow straight leg, is finished with laser technology to minimize water usage.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There were new takes on its Serpenti Cuore 1968 featuring enamel running down its sinuous handle and the smaller Cuoricini version offered in an array of jewel tones.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
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On that snap to Herbert, the play-clock was running down, Bonitto recalled.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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City leaders are downplaying speculation about a potential serial killer, but retired NYPD Sgt.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
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Critics contend that the administration’s aim is to present a sanitized version of history, downplaying bitter episodes, including racial oppression and sexism.—
Megan O’Matz,
ProPublica,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Johnson’s Trump was quick to talk down on the prolific late-night sketch show.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
5 Oct. 2025
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While Joan is visiting the Westside Hospital with her students, Michael (Omar Metwally) offers her the Chief of Internal Medicine position after she, not very subtly, told him not to hire anyone who is asking for it and talked down other potential candidates.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Translation: compliance burdens are rising, even if the U.S. is soft-pedaling near-term enforcement.—
Pam Kaur,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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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
Verb
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Bean and squash yields (as measured by weight) were reduced when intercropped with maize, while maize yields were only slightly diminished when intercropped.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
14 Oct. 2025
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Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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What exactly was the charm of these books which critics had written off initially as being unimaginative and derivative?—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
12 Oct. 2025
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While that would be a major surprise, the possibility cannot be written off.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20down. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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