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 Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy has downplayed the severity, even as the incidence of other vaccine-preventable diseases is rising. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 The agency downplayed suspicions that her illness was related to her work but rushed to isolate her contacts. — Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026 But in recent months, T-Mobile has been downplaying the satellite service and floating the possibility of working with rival providers. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026 Iranian officials have long downplayed the significance of military ties with Russia, or denied them. — Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for downplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downplay
  1. minimize
  2. dismiss
  3. soft-pedal
Verb
  • Department leaders are evaluating how to best deploy resources for different emergencies and minimize disruptions.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Research actually shows that having depression can more than double your risk for dementia, so don’t minimize it, Tucker says.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of minimize
Verb
  • The stance has seen Newsom, who warns the passage of Prop 40 could see an exodus of the super rich from California, mocked and dismissed by fellow Democrats.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The complaint was ultimately dismissed, and Iowa's Republican leaders celebrated the ruling.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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