as in minimizes
to reduce in apparent importance
he self-deprecatingly downplays his own contributions to the festival's success
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Recent Examples of downplays
Ezelle, however, downplays his role in advising DBGI.
—
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 May 2026
Happily, in his aptly peculiar film, docmaker Xander Robin downplays the boredom in favor of the adrenalin, and even more compellingly, of the Challenge’s diverse but uniformly eccentric sociological makeup.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 10 May 2026
The accessibility of these supplements without restrictions normalizes their use and downplays their serious health risks.
—Jad Abdel Nour, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026
The proposition has been met with backlash online, as some believe the name insinuates a connection to the president or downplays the importance of the man who donated the land, whom it is named after.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026
San Diego economist Ray Major downplays the impacts of declining immigration, pointing out that the far more concerning issue is the continuing exodus of residents, who far outnumber those who are moving here.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Benjamin Netanyahu signals restraint on energy strikes and downplays Iran’s capabilities.
—Abhishek Shanker, Bloomberg, 20 Mar. 2026
Govan, for his part, downplays the controversy.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 6 Mar. 2026
Wicker argued that the blueprint — which downplays threats from China, focusing primarily on the Western Hemisphere — ignores implications of the Russia-Ukraine war and lacks information about interests in the Middle East amid the turmoil in Iran.
—The Hill Staff - 03, The Hill, 5 Mar. 2026
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 May 2026
Happily, in his aptly peculiar film, docmaker Xander Robin downplays the boredom in favor of the adrenalin, and even more compellingly, of the Challenge’s diverse but uniformly eccentric sociological makeup.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 10 May 2026
The accessibility of these supplements without restrictions normalizes their use and downplays their serious health risks.
—Jad Abdel Nour, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026
The proposition has been met with backlash online, as some believe the name insinuates a connection to the president or downplays the importance of the man who donated the land, whom it is named after.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026
San Diego economist Ray Major downplays the impacts of declining immigration, pointing out that the far more concerning issue is the continuing exodus of residents, who far outnumber those who are moving here.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Benjamin Netanyahu signals restraint on energy strikes and downplays Iran’s capabilities.
—Abhishek Shanker, Bloomberg, 20 Mar. 2026
Govan, for his part, downplays the controversy.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 6 Mar. 2026
Wicker argued that the blueprint — which downplays threats from China, focusing primarily on the Western Hemisphere — ignores implications of the Russia-Ukraine war and lacks information about interests in the Middle East amid the turmoil in Iran.
—The Hill Staff - 03, The Hill, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplays
Verb
-
The Thunder are also a low-pass offense; that minimizes the Lakers’ steal opportunities as well.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
-
Pro hairstylist Ryan Richman previously described this Briogeo cream as a lightweight, silicone-free heat-protectant cream that minimizes frizz, smooths hair, enhances shine, and protects against heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Russia dismisses such claims as nonsense.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
10 May 2026
-
Goodspeed dismisses that idea as well.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downplays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplays. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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