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
Streamers including Netflix have downplayed their interest in taking on solo ownership of the Emmys and the fact hat none of these companies has snapped up the rights so far is telling.
—
Peter White,
Deadline,
2 July 2026
Kevin Hassett, director of the White House's National Economic Council, downplayed Thursday's report, pointing to a positive trend for the labor market in previous months.
—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
2 July 2026
State officials downplayed the threat of a prolonged siege, dismissing the prospect of weekly disruptions as standard white noise.
—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
1 July 2026
Some preservationists and activists say both public officials and developers have downplayed finds to avoid a repetition of the public campaign to save the Miami Circle and the Met Miami elements.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
For many years, critics frequently downplayed the soothing texture of Sade’s songs as mere aural wallpaper, mood music for lovemaking.
—
Al Shipley,
SPIN,
30 June 2026
Manager John Schneider quickly downplayed fears of a setback, clarifying Barger's visit was for an in-person assessment, not due to a new injury.
—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Korotaev downplayed its significance using simpler logic, comparing it with Russia’s far more damaging strategic air and missile campaign against Ukraine.
—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
28 June 2026
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra at the time downplayed the confrontation, with the Heat routinely making peace after acquiring former Heat instigators.
—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
28 June 2026
Peter White,
Deadline,
2 July 2026
Kevin Hassett, director of the White House's National Economic Council, downplayed Thursday's report, pointing to a positive trend for the labor market in previous months.
—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
2 July 2026
State officials downplayed the threat of a prolonged siege, dismissing the prospect of weekly disruptions as standard white noise.
—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
1 July 2026
Some preservationists and activists say both public officials and developers have downplayed finds to avoid a repetition of the public campaign to save the Miami Circle and the Met Miami elements.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
For many years, critics frequently downplayed the soothing texture of Sade’s songs as mere aural wallpaper, mood music for lovemaking.
—
Al Shipley,
SPIN,
30 June 2026
Manager John Schneider quickly downplayed fears of a setback, clarifying Barger's visit was for an in-person assessment, not due to a new injury.
—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Korotaev downplayed its significance using simpler logic, comparing it with Russia’s far more damaging strategic air and missile campaign against Ukraine.
—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
28 June 2026
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra at the time downplayed the confrontation, with the Heat routinely making peace after acquiring former Heat instigators.
—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
28 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplayed
Verb
-
In Lunas Campos’ case, officials from the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, initially minimized the incident that led to his death, pointing to his criminal history.
-
Context that undermines sensational allegations is minimized.
Verb
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Interviewed following his win on ESPN, the 42-year-old Chestnut dismissed, more or less, the impact of today’s 92 degree New York heat on the proceedings.
-
The nonprofit, which alleged the county violated the Surplus Lands Act by not first exploring affordable-housing development at the site, still has not dismissed its lawsuit.
Verb
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Our tactile and sensory life has been de-emphasized in favor of ideas, symbols, accomplishments, and abstractions.
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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.
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.
Cite this Entry
“Downplayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplayed. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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