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
Clark is a modest personality who seems inclined to play down her own towering influence — a legacy that reaches well beyond gospel and plays a role in the careers of everyone from Mary J. Blige to Beyoncé.
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Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 14 Nov. 2024
The Giants had driven 10 plays down to the Bengals’ 36-yard line and were within range of a long field goal.
—Andrew Greif, NBC News, 14 Oct. 2024
Taken together, some type of tax credit for first-time buyers could be in play down the road.
—Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 29 Sep. 2024
Sources, kept anonymous to protect relationships, close to Walker and City have played down interest in him from Saudi.
—James McNicholas, The Athletic, 19 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for play down 
Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 14 Nov. 2024
The Giants had driven 10 plays down to the Bengals’ 36-yard line and were within range of a long field goal.
—Andrew Greif, NBC News, 14 Oct. 2024
Taken together, some type of tax credit for first-time buyers could be in play down the road.
—Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 29 Sep. 2024
Sources, kept anonymous to protect relationships, close to Walker and City have played down interest in him from Saudi.
—James McNicholas, The Athletic, 19 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for play down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play down
Verb
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The case was previously scheduled to go to trial in August 2025, but is now expected to be dismissed.Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 14 Dec. 2024
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The Pentagon did not respond to a request for comment before this report published, but in a speech at West Point in early December, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin dismissed the idea that women should not be in combat roles.James LaPorta, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
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By emphasizing the organization’s commitment to mutual respect and shared goals, HR leaders can minimize disruptions while maximizing team effectiveness. 4.Melanie Hughes, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
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Through the park search, the NYPD has taken steps to minimize disruption to visitors, leading to an odd juxtaposition of joggers, tourists and an active crime scene.Cedar Attanasio and Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The teaser ends on a cryptic note, showing an unknown bloodied woman (played by series newcomer Hilary Swank), running down the side of the road from an unseen threat.Abby Monteil, Them, 9 Dec. 2024
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With cum still in his mouth, Lee pulls himself back up and kisses Allerton deeply before wiping away the remnants of semen running down his chin.David Opie, IndieWire, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Trying to downplay or outright ignore the crisis will only make a brand look bad in the eyes of consumers.Emily Reynolds Bergh, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
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Whereas Zayas is downplaying the theatrical possibilities of a bold script, the director of Kallan Dana’s RACECAR RACECAR RACECAR, Sarah Blush, is leaning all the way in.Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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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
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Does your party have a disdain problem in talking down to working class voters in particular?CBS News, CBS News, 3 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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Climate change exacerbates the threats with rising temperatures disrupting migration patterns and diminishing the availability of milkweed, the monarch caterpillar's essential food source.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
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Helping to model that behavior and normalizing outreach for support is a great way to diminish the stigma.Subha Barry, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The car was completely written off but God saved him.Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024
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He’s written off so many losses to off nights or hot shooting performances by opponents.Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 28 Nov. 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 21 Dec. 2024.
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