as in minimizing
to reduce in apparent importance
he self-deprecatingly downplays his own contributions to the festival's success
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 downplaying
But critics have accused them of downplaying the risks.
—
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney hinted Wednesday that the opening could be delayed while downplaying any concerns.
—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
The plaintiffs’ lawyers countered that Royal Caribbean was greatly downplaying the injuries the victims suffered.
—
Miami Herald,
9 June 2026
Fifield fired back at the New York Times in an X post on Friday for downplaying the story.
—
Britta Miller,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2026
Nilsson, an incorrigible Midwesterner, had a history of downplaying her depth.
—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett painted a rosy picture of the economy Sunday, downplaying Americans' growing pessimism about the economy amid high gas prices and rising inflation as the Iran war goes on.
—
Ford McCracken,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
Koepele has a business interest in downplaying the danger in New York waters.
—
Clara Molot,
Vanity Fair,
30 May 2026
Draper accused Baker of downplaying troll behavior.
—
Lyz Lenz,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2026
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney hinted Wednesday that the opening could be delayed while downplaying any concerns.
—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
The plaintiffs’ lawyers countered that Royal Caribbean was greatly downplaying the injuries the victims suffered.
—
Miami Herald,
9 June 2026
Fifield fired back at the New York Times in an X post on Friday for downplaying the story.
—
Britta Miller,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2026
Nilsson, an incorrigible Midwesterner, had a history of downplaying her depth.
—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett painted a rosy picture of the economy Sunday, downplaying Americans' growing pessimism about the economy amid high gas prices and rising inflation as the Iran war goes on.
—
Ford McCracken,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
Koepele has a business interest in downplaying the danger in New York waters.
—
Clara Molot,
Vanity Fair,
30 May 2026
Draper accused Baker of downplaying troll behavior.
—
Lyz Lenz,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplaying
Verb
-
The end goal should not be minimizing the number of systems per se, but rather making sure those systems can be adjusted and integrated quickly to keep up with changing business demands.
-
Under the former, the priority is to continue providing water and wastewater services while minimizing creditor losses and restructuring the company so a new owner can be found.
Verb
-
The program was established by state lawmakers in 2018 as a way to help stem the tide of mental illness in jails and prisons, usually by dismissing cases and offering treatment for the underlying conditions behind a defendant’s arrest.
-
Manchester, for example, was in court for a year after dismissing a contractor from the Parkade redevelopment job, and ended up paying $2 million.
Cite this Entry
“Downplaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downplaying. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
