as in to minimize
to reduce in apparent importance
he self-deprecatingly downplays his own contributions to the festival's success
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 downplay
Some party leaders have been criticized for using Nazi slogans and downplaying the Holocaust.
—
Obed Manuel, NPR, 27 Feb. 2025
Kennedy, in particular, has spent years downplaying the harms of vaccine-preventable illnesses.
—Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday appeared to downplay the seriousness of the West Texas measles outbreak that has killed a school-age child.
—Erika Edwards, NBC News, 26 Feb. 2025
That means 74% of employees see problems being ignored, downplayed, or spun into meaningless corporate jargon.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downplay
Obed Manuel, NPR, 27 Feb. 2025
Kennedy, in particular, has spent years downplaying the harms of vaccine-preventable illnesses.
—Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday appeared to downplay the seriousness of the West Texas measles outbreak that has killed a school-age child.
—Erika Edwards, NBC News, 26 Feb. 2025
That means 74% of employees see problems being ignored, downplayed, or spun into meaningless corporate jargon.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplay
Verb
-
Windows users can minimize data collection by adjusting their privacy settings under 'Diagnostics & feedback.' 2.—
Alex Vakulov,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
-
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
-
But in dismissing the lawsuit to arbitration last December, Clarke wasn’t moved by the Knicks’ arguments.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
2 Mar. 2025
-
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
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
Articles Related to downplay
Cite this Entry
“Downplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplay. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share