1
as in dismissed
to express scornfully one's low opinion of
out of sheer envy, she would always play down her sister's accomplishments
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in minimized
to reduce in apparent importance
if you play down your part in the project, you won't get the credit you deserve
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of played down
Tehran has played down the prospect of talks or that any breakthrough was imminent as Pakistan acts as an intermediary.
—
Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The industry is bracing for massive jobs cuts, which Ellison has played down and did again Friday, insisting the combined company will operate more efficiently but also grow.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
Kifowit has played down the urgency of modernizing the comptroller’s office, saying improvements are already underway.
—Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
The 2023 Open was played down Highway 1 at Pebble Beach.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
The continent’s cautious response to the war in Iran, and Trump’s broader threats, have sparked fears that a diplomatic divide could escalate into another trade confrontation, but one expert played down the rift between the trans-Atlantic partners.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 8 Mar. 2026
But Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday played down growing worry about the economic impact on oil shipments from the Middle East, saying Japan has oil reserves at home that can last for several months.
—Arkansas Online, 3 Mar. 2026
Using his Instagram broadcast channel, the Mexican musician played down the lyric that references him.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has played down the violence as the work of a small group of extremists.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The industry is bracing for massive jobs cuts, which Ellison has played down and did again Friday, insisting the combined company will operate more efficiently but also grow.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
Kifowit has played down the urgency of modernizing the comptroller’s office, saying improvements are already underway.
—Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
The 2023 Open was played down Highway 1 at Pebble Beach.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
The continent’s cautious response to the war in Iran, and Trump’s broader threats, have sparked fears that a diplomatic divide could escalate into another trade confrontation, but one expert played down the rift between the trans-Atlantic partners.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 8 Mar. 2026
But Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday played down growing worry about the economic impact on oil shipments from the Middle East, saying Japan has oil reserves at home that can last for several months.
—Arkansas Online, 3 Mar. 2026
Using his Instagram broadcast channel, the Mexican musician played down the lyric that references him.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has played down the violence as the work of a small group of extremists.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played down
Verb
-
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
-
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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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
-
Around 400 were involved in experiments where pain was not minimized.—
Quinn Clark,
jsonline.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
More elderly people could find themselves at the mercy of an obscure government program meant to save them from harm and preserve their dignity when their ability to take care of themselves is diminished.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
But with the chances of a Fed rate cut later this year highly diminished now and, with the reality that a cut (if it is issued) is likely to be by just 25 basis points, these estimates are unlikely to change dramatically, either.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
Verb
-
Bayley and Lyra Valkyria, who are set to challenge the champions on the upcoming Monday Night Raw, ran down to make the save.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The verbal altercation continued as both players ran down the court following the free throw.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There’s always a chance that Fetterman’s prospective foes get talked down from the ledge.—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
24 Mar. 2026
-
After Jacksonville, after years of fans feeling talked down to and reporters feeling undermined, this silly little event served a purpose for a change.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Played down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played%20down. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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