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
Brighton pressed City high at goal kicks, trying to bait them into playing down their own right-side before jumping aggressively to lock them in.
—
Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
Once more, Capello played down comparisons between FC Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Maryland men’s basketball nearly played down to its competition — again.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2025
Pedro Neto was played down the wing, at which point Chelsea had five players up in support of the ball versus six Arsenal defenders.
—Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play down
Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
Once more, Capello played down comparisons between FC Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Maryland men’s basketball nearly played down to its competition — again.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2025
Pedro Neto was played down the wing, at which point Chelsea had five players up in support of the ball versus six Arsenal defenders.
—Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play down
Verb
-
Heyman dismissed fans on social media who have failed to give Rollins his flowers, saying he’s seen pro wrestlers fail in the ring and seen praise on social media for them while others spout nonsense while ignoring historical facts.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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On March 4, the day the order to show cause was to be heard, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office dismissed the case.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm: To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Apr. 2025
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In relationships, this dynamic plays out as toxic positivity — the tendency to dismiss or minimize distress in favor of maintaining an upbeat tone.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Just Hit the Market for $32 Million Long before Bo Derek ran down the beach in her Fulani braids and Farrah Fawcett posed in that iconic red swimsuit, there was Welch in her infamous doeskin bikini as seen in One Billion Years B.C.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
9 Apr. 2025
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As the clock ran down in the third period with overtime looming, the Eagles took the lead for good with 1:17 remaining in the third period.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The country subsequently downplayed the initiative, but has doubled-down on domestic tech development given U.S. restrictions in the last several years.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
18 Apr. 2025
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Kennedy downplayed diagnostic shift as a minor explanation for the increase in autism cases, but researchers have found that changes in diagnosis probably explain a majority of the increase.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Trump acknowledged in a Fox News Radio interview with Brian Kilmeade that Russia attacked Ukraine but still suggested former President Biden and Zelensky shared blame for failing to talk down Moscow.—
Brett Samuels,
The Hill,
21 Feb. 2025
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But Jones has talked down a possible bout with Aspinall and suggested that a battle with current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira made more sense to him.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In 2024, Paul Weiss didn’t soft-pedal its liberal leanings.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Goldberg Tuesday scoffed at the denials and efforts to soft-pedal the extent and potential danger of the breach.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The previous six champions were all diminished the following season by either injuries or significant roster changes.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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But the same things that prevent parents from maintaining employment or housing — especially substance abuse and mental illness — often inhibit them from engaging in services, while also diminishing their ability to protect and care for their children.—
Emily Putnam-Hornstein and Naomi Schaefer Riley,
Twin Cities,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Private jet John and Joanna French won their case in 1990 to write off their private jet on their 1984 taxes.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2025
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Her character was eventually written off the latter series, which Carpenter has said was directly related to her decision to have a baby.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20down. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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