as in minimized
to reduce in apparent importance
he self-deprecatingly downplays his own contributions to the festival's success
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Recent Examples of downplayed
Perhaps in response, a Microsoft executive downplayed the company's AI focus last month while talking up major improvements to future Windows 11 updates.
—
Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
Scientific evidence shows that kratom carries real risks that are often downplayed or misunderstood.
—Andrew Kolodny, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
The administration downplayed the shortfall and insisted state finances remain robust, but Republican legislative leaders said the governor and his fellow Democrats in the General Assembly’s majority have abandoned honest budgeting.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
When asked about it upon re-entry to the locker room, Bane explained why the request was made and downplayed the seriousness of the conversation.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Trump has consistently downplayed the threat Iran continues to pose in the region.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Mottola has previously acknowledged an association with Epstein but drastically downplayed the depth of their relationship.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
Despite earning the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart, Cram downplayed his heroism.
—Adisa Hargett-Robinson, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026
Cherfilus-McCormick downplayed the significance of fellow House Democrats calling for her resignation.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2026
Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
Scientific evidence shows that kratom carries real risks that are often downplayed or misunderstood.
—Andrew Kolodny, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
The administration downplayed the shortfall and insisted state finances remain robust, but Republican legislative leaders said the governor and his fellow Democrats in the General Assembly’s majority have abandoned honest budgeting.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
When asked about it upon re-entry to the locker room, Bane explained why the request was made and downplayed the seriousness of the conversation.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Trump has consistently downplayed the threat Iran continues to pose in the region.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Mottola has previously acknowledged an association with Epstein but drastically downplayed the depth of their relationship.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
Despite earning the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart, Cram downplayed his heroism.
—Adisa Hargett-Robinson, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026
Cherfilus-McCormick downplayed the significance of fellow House Democrats calling for her resignation.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplayed
Verb
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Because the condition affects balance and coordination, veterinarians recommend keeping affected cats in safe, predictable spaces where hazards like slippery floors, high furniture and stairs are minimized.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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Around 400 were involved in experiments where pain was not minimized.—
Quinn Clark,
jsonline.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When a Groyper account on X suggested that Jewish people were responsible for contemporary German immigration policy, Rogers, using her official State Department account, dismissed the claim as nonsense.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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And yet, when HB 1098 was introduced in 2023, critics dismissed it as a solution in search of a problem.—
Lisa Frizell,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The changes have included an overhaul of Google’s ubiquitous search engine that has de-emphasized a listing of relevant web links in its results and increasingly highlighted AI overviews and conversational responses provided through an AI mode.—
Michael Liedtke,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In fact, several of the investigators believed the shooting was intentional, and that the Biden administration had actually soft-pedaled the investigation’s findings to appease Israel.—
Scott Griffen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downplayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplayed. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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