DE-EMPHASIZING Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

de-emphasizing

verb

present participle of de-emphasize

as in minimizing

to reduce in apparent importance you're at a point in your career where you can de-emphasize your academic record and emphasize your work experience

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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 de-emphasizing But Microsoft is de-emphasizing Copilot+ PCs, and Copilot no longer includes many useful OS integrations. — Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026 The article emphasizes that leaders must prioritize organizational interventions, such as de-emphasizing long hours and offering clinical sleep support like CBT-I, rather than just personal solutions. — Mena Mirhom, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 At the very least, players and parents feel the university is de-emphasizing its support for lacrosse. — Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 27 May 2026 However, Sempra is in the process of de-emphasizing its LNG investments. — Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026 Democratic leadership, Young said, has tended to scale up the division’s work; Republicans have often scaled it down, de-emphasizing voting rights and emphasizing religious-liberty cases. — Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026 Old-line liberals have blasted the democratic socialist for de-emphasizing a police presence in favor of volunteers and contract workers armed with little more than overdose kits, notepads and phone numbers. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026 The Giants also appear to be de-emphasizing Dart as a runner to keep him healthy, which could lead to him getting a higher volume of passing attempts in Week 15. — Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 14 Dec. 2025 Critics argue that the Dalai Lama’s middle way, which prioritizes dialogue and reconciliation while de-emphasizing mass mobilization, has kept the movement from reaching its full potential and leveraging its explosive strength in the struggle against Beijing. — Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-emphasizing

Verb

Compensation and advancement below the partner level can’t just be about minimizing cost.

— Tim Brackney, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Tsai, the Stanford professor, has conducted research on how emotion in American culture puts value on trying to always feel positive and minimizing negativity and sadness.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of minimizing

Verb

But since SpaceX floated the idea of becoming a US carrier, T-Mobile has been downplaying satellite connectivity and even suggested working with other satellite partners.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026
Eight states sued OpenAI this week, alleging that the AI company caused severe harm to users, many of them underage, while downplaying the risks of its technology.

— Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of downplaying

Verb

In September, Judge Jonathan Medema ordered a stay of the civil case so the two sides could work to resolve the dispute without dismissing the case.

— Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 22 Oct. 2026
The court granted that request, entering judgment for the United States on Count III of the government’s complaint and dismissing the remaining counts as moot.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismissing

Browse Nearby Words

de-emphasizes

de-emphasizing

deems

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“De-emphasizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-emphasizing. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of de-emphasizing

verb

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