downplay

verb

ˈdau̇n-ˌplā How to pronounce downplay (audio)
Definition of downplaynext
as in to minimize
to reduce in apparent importance he self-deprecatingly downplays his own contributions to the festival's success

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 downplay Democratic legislators attempted to downplay the announcement Monday that federal authorities had accused 28 people of fraudulently registering to vote or voting in California. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026 The report also touches on speculation that Xbox may be spun off or sold, and Judson Althoff, the CEO of Microsoft’s commercial business, seemed to downplay that idea to Fortune. — Jay Peters, The Verge, 20 Oct. 2026 Meta downplayed the severity of the vulnerability on the grounds that exploitation wasn’t possible unless a device was already compromised. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026 Trump publicly downplayed this interference, but DHS leadership saw the Russia attack as an escalation. — Andy Mannix, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for downplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplay
  1. minimize
  2. dismiss
  3. soft-pedal
Verb
  • The frack happening beneath us was about half as deep as Mount Everest is high, in a section of oil-rich rock that used to be considered out of reach; other innovations allow for simultaneous fracks, minimizing downtime.
    — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Eco effort As a camp that focuses on conservation, minimizing environmental impact is the cornerstone of the Wilderness Desert Rhino ethos.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of minimize
Verb
  • Ben-Gvir dismisses concerns that such policies would cement Israel’s status as a pariah state.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Lower courts had dismissed the case because Asian American students were not underrepresented at the magnet schools compared with the pool of students that applied.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of dismiss
Verb
  • That’s not because Crystal soft-pedals the emotional horror of returning to your home to find charred remains after watching, helpless, as flames took the locus of all your best memories.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • That’s not because Crystal soft-pedals the emotional horror of returning to the charred remains of your home after watching, helpless, as flames took the locus of all your best memories.
    — Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of soft-pedal

Browse Nearby Words

down payments
downplay
downplayed
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Cite this Entry

“Downplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplay. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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