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
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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
Example Sentences
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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
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However, Cave pushed back against the idea of fully dismissing an artist’s work due to their personal failings.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
18 Feb. 2025
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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
Verb
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Our limited newsletter series guides you on how to minimize your personal role in the climate crisis — and reduce your eco-anxiety.—
Martha Shade,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
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Why did so many economists and policymakers minimize the potential devastation that free trade with China would wreak on many Americans?—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The 27-year-old’s contract with the energy drink company will run down in 2028.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
WWD,
11 Feb. 2025
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The Luna Gray case is understated, with only a white LED strip running down the front panel for visual flair.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Verb
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This has less to do with a diminishing talent pool than a changing industry where the lines between Corman’s world and Hollywood at large became more sharply drawn.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2025
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Although his output had diminished, from an availability and form perspective, Villa valued him higher than Douglas Luiz or Diaby and with greater scope for improvement.—
Jacob Tanswell,
The Athletic,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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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
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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 27 Feb. 2025.
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