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 A number of Republicans have removed or downplayed references to Trump from their websites after winning their primaries. — ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026 In an interview with NPR, Ralph Hennessy, EEIDD's executive director, downplayed the pushback from residents. — Drew Hawkins, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026 One of Gates’ most striking claims, though, is that tech leaders are knowingly downplaying AI’s risks because of the money involved. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 26 Aug. 2026 This is a big deal, made bigger by her attempts to hide it and downplay it. — Abigail Van Buren, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for downplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplay
  1. minimize
  2. dismiss
  3. soft-pedal
Verb
  • Once the major economies stop asking how to minimize the global costs of adjustment and begin asking instead how to minimize their own risk, the opportunity to find a relatively painless solution to the global trade imbalance will have passed.
    — MICHAEL PETTIS, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The hotel takes part in ‘Green Engage’ initiatives to minimize carbon footprint and is committed to reducing plastic use by 90 percent and glass waste by 80 percent (although no official end-date has been set).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of minimize
Verb
  • But Smith dismissed the idea that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was trying to boost his chances in upcoming domestic elections.
    — Samantha Subin,CJ Haddad,Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Also Tuesday, just after court was dismissed, Dawn Light, 56, of Sutton, Massachusetts, was arrested outside the courthouse in Plymouth, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts State Police confirmed.
    — Blayne Alexander, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of dismiss
Verb
  • Its screenplay, which Dolan hatched in collaboration with three others, tries to soft-pedal predictable beats that nonetheless end up the only ones getting beaten.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
  • But Paddy’s isn’t Sudz, and the Gang’s efforts to soft-pedal their antics to be more in line with those mainstream bars devolved into typical Sunny-style hostility and off-putting grossness.
    — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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