as in to minimize
to reduce in apparent importance
you're at a point in your career where you can de-emphasize your academic record and emphasize your work experience
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Recent Examples of de-emphasize
Electric vehicles drew attention but were slighty de-emphasized at this year's Milwaukee Auto Show.
—
Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025
Hill is shifting Nike back to sports, a priority that was de-emphasized under its former CEO.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
Cursive has been out of vogue for 15 years, after schools began adopting a Common Core curriculum, which de-emphasized the writing style.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 26 June 2025
Some pitchers will de-emphasize their breaking pitches at Coors Field because of the effects of the altitude.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025
Hill is shifting Nike back to sports, a priority that was de-emphasized under its former CEO.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
Cursive has been out of vogue for 15 years, after schools began adopting a Common Core curriculum, which de-emphasized the writing style.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 26 June 2025
Some pitchers will de-emphasize their breaking pitches at Coors Field because of the effects of the altitude.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-emphasize
Verb
-
Here are tips on how to stay safe during a thunderstorm: To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 July 2025
-
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,
19 July 2025
Verb
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White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers downplayed the episode in a statement to CNN.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
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The Fed staff downplayed the inscription as a joke.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Fortune,
24 July 2025
Verb
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The felony charges were dismissed with prejudice, meaning they can't be refiled.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Courier-Journal,
25 July 2025
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The felony charges against two CityBeat journalists, who were arrested while covering a protest on the John A. Roebling Bridge, have been dismissed.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
24 July 2025
Verb
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In 2024, Paul Weiss didn’t soft-pedal its liberal leanings.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“De-emphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-emphasize. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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