TALK DOWN Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

talk down

verb

Definition of talk down

as in to dismiss

to express scornfully one's low opinion of a company that prefers to talk up its own products rather than talk down those of its competitors

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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 talk down Not talking down to them, and tackling real subject matter that’s universal, about family and relationships and nature versus nurture and grief. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2026 The Malheur standoff also drew in the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team, which Northern California sheriffs credited for talking down the Henrichsens and ending last month’s kidnapping without bloodshed. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 9 Aug. 2026 The influencer, or their manager, already expects to be talked down. — Chris Ryan, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026 Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris O’Dowd, and Bryan Cranston lead an excellent voice cast in a family film that doesn’t talk down to the little ones while also providing cozy comfort for their parents. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for talk down

Recent Examples of Synonyms for talk down

Verb

Bacelar disputed the accusations and said the lawsuit is filled with recycled claims that were previously litigated and dismissed.

— Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Tyreek Hill was also a polarizing receiver who faced a 2014 domestic assault case that was dismissed and a 2019 child abuse probe, though no charges were filed.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismiss

Verb

While any sunscreen stick can shift your foundation or blush a bit, this one's smooth, almost primer-like texture helps minimize tugging.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Oct. 2026
That’s not to minimize any of these genres in the comparison, or to give any time to the laughable claim that escapist fiction is low-brow, reductive fare.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of minimize

Verb

Members of Congress could be expected to resist presidential encroachments because those encroachments diminished their own power.

— Stephanie A, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
In theory, such an arrangement diminishes the cells’ ability to transport oxygen from the lungs.

— D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminish

Verb

The silhouette was mostly formfitting and streamlined, with emphasis at the hips and waist and a continuation of the contrasting sheer, black fabric running down the column skirt.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Models literally ran down the catwalk at times during Adidas’ high-octane show with multiple acts.

— Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of run down

Verb

The case, announced Friday, accuses Floris and Benavides of falsely playing down their knowledge about a laptop the Justice Department says Hunter Biden abandoned at a computer repair shop in 2019.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
The Singapore Shipping Association also played down the prospect of a broad withdrawal of commercial shipping from the region, suggesting operators would instead adapt to changing trade conditions.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026