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
He's made more than 60 appearances each of the last two seasons, and was much better for the Astros after the trade with the Yankees, de-emphasizing his four-seam fastball and increasing his breaking ball usage.
—
Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
One notable difference: The committee suggested that fat-free or low-fat dairy foods be de-emphasized as items for inclusion in a healthy dietary pattern and be taken off the primary list of foods.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024
But when they were added, the documents never de-emphasized earlier concerns.
—Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2024
The statement also de-emphasizes language toward tech and high-end manufacturing.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
One notable difference: The committee suggested that fat-free or low-fat dairy foods be de-emphasized as items for inclusion in a healthy dietary pattern and be taken off the primary list of foods.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024
But when they were added, the documents never de-emphasized earlier concerns.
—Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2024
The statement also de-emphasizes language toward tech and high-end manufacturing.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-emphasize
Verb
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Windows users can minimize data collection by adjusting their privacy settings under 'Diagnostics & feedback.' 2.—
Alex Vakulov,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
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Overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), regulations like the Clean Air Act help minimize the public’s exposure to these industrial emissions.—
Yong Kwon / Made by History,
TIME,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Fahmy, like the security experts who spoke with CNN, downplayed the real-life impact of the media chatter about an impending war, but all were worried by its growing intensity.—
Sarah El Sirgany,
CNN,
3 Mar. 2025
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That is not to say that Koepka downplays the importance of the mental toughness required to win a major.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Coach Joe Wyatt, formerly an El Camino Real head coach, was dismissed by the Royals in 2022.—
Benjamin Royer,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2025
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Starmer also dismissed calls to cancel a royal invitation from King Charles to the U.S. President for a U.K. state visit, an offer presented by the British leader at the Oval Office Thursday.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 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
Cite this Entry
“De-emphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-emphasize. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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