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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of play down
Trump played down any environmental concerns Monday.
—
Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025
Yoon again played down his martial law declaration, which shocked the country and plunged the industrial powerhouse and a powerful example of democratic resilience into a constitutional crisis that also saw the prime minister being impeached.
—Reuters, NBC News, 4 Feb. 2025
After the inaugural address, Trump played down the importance of inflation in the 2024 election, suggesting in remarks at the Capitol that his voters cared more about immigration because there were only so many ways to talk about prices.
—Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Speaking to reporters after meeting with Mr. Rubio, however, Mr. Mulino repeatedly played down the risk that Mr. Trump might seize the canal, by force or otherwise.
—Michael Crowley, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play down
Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025
Yoon again played down his martial law declaration, which shocked the country and plunged the industrial powerhouse and a powerful example of democratic resilience into a constitutional crisis that also saw the prime minister being impeached.
—Reuters, NBC News, 4 Feb. 2025
After the inaugural address, Trump played down the importance of inflation in the 2024 election, suggesting in remarks at the Capitol that his voters cared more about immigration because there were only so many ways to talk about prices.
—Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Speaking to reporters after meeting with Mr. Rubio, however, Mr. Mulino repeatedly played down the risk that Mr. Trump might seize the canal, by force or otherwise.
—Michael Crowley, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play down
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Schedule your charges when electric rates are the lowest to minimize these costs.—
LEW SICHELMAN,
Miami Herald,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Packed with reflective pearls and blurring pigments, the tint aims to minimize color imperfections while hydrating and evening your skin tone.—
Averi Baudler,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The caskets were displayed in front of a large banner that showed a caricature replicating antisemitic tropes of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with vampiric teeth and blood running down his face.—
Astha Rajvanshi,
NBC News,
20 Feb. 2025
-
The dress featured long sleeves with buttons running down the front placket off the side.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
While city officials have downplayed characterizations by President Donald Trump and others that the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, had taken over the city, Chamberlain did assert Wednesday that its members controlled several parts of the complex.—
Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton,
The Denver Post,
19 Feb. 2025
-
That clearly has not happened, and lawsuits are pressing that idea further, leaving the White House desperately trying to downplay weeks of Musk’s spotlight-stealing efforts.—
Philip Elliott,
TIME,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The lack of Blues Brothers co-creator Aykroyd meant no Jimmy Carter talking down a guy peaking on LSD.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Republicans have blasted Democrats over the years for talking down to people, with several arguing the average voter does not like to feel stupid.—
Rachel Schilke,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
1 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
The absence of Ayo Dosunmu — who is dealing with shoulder discomfort from a long-term injury — further diminished the Bulls roster.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Suitable for all skin types, the face oil hydrates while improving elasticity and diminishing the appearance of fine lines.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
How Ferrari handles the driver dynamic will be a talking point and Hamilton isn’t writing off Leclerc’s talent.—
Madeline Coleman,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
-
But JPMorgan’s trading desk isn’t writing off the U.S. too quickly.—
Fred Imbert,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20down. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share