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Showing results for de-emphasize. Search instead for deemphasized.
Synonyms

de-emphasize

American  
[dee-em-fuh-sahyz] / diˈɛm fəˌsaɪz /
especially British, de-emphasise

verb (used with object)

de-emphasized, de-emphasizing
  1. to place less emphasis upon; reduce in importance, size, scope, etc..

    The university de-emphasized intercollegiate football.


de-emphasize British  
/ diːˈɛmfəˌsaɪz /

verb

  1. (tr) to remove emphasis from

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of de-emphasize

First recorded in 1935–40; de- + emphasize


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Her refusal to de-emphasize her Tennessee accent or downplay her assets endeared her to a wide audience, along with her unsinkable pride in her country roots.

From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2026

Mark Warner, a trade and investment lawyer who practices in both the U.S. and Canada, said Wiseman is trying to de-emphasize the annual review process as a means to reduce the uncertainty holding back executives.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026

Some Berkshire watchers think that Abel will de-emphasize equity investing as CEO.

From Barron's ● Feb. 28, 2026

McLennan explained that the fund will, at times, de-emphasize gold and load up more on stocks.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 27, 2026

Some intellectual revolution must come which will de-emphasize business and industry and re-emphasize most other ways of self-expression.

From An American Idyll The Life of Carleton H. Parker by Cornelia Stratton Parker

Leagues were de-emphasized in favor of open bowling, parties and corporate events.

From Salon ● Jul. 3, 2026

“Deliveries—and fundamentals broadly—have been de-emphasized in our recent conversations with investors,” wrote Kallo.

From Barron's ● Apr. 3, 2026

Work has slowed and staff cuts have deepened, while the project has been de-emphasized in government documents and presentations in recent months.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 17, 2025

Even the ancient rabbis who may have de-emphasized the military victory did not erase it entirely.

From Slate ● Dec. 10, 2023

In almost all cases, the tests measure strictly math and reading skills, so even science and history have been de-emphasized.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

In the campaigns that have followed, Europeans have mostly been de-emphasizing, rather than actively criticizing, Trump.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026

European defense stocks have weakened of late, partly in response to suggestions of a more lasting cease-fire, but Morgan Stanley recommended caution about de-emphasizing defense plays.

From MarketWatch ● May 13, 2026

It’s been bigger than FedEx and UPS since 2023, with UPS and FedEx de-emphasizing business-to-consumer volumes in favor of higher margin business-to-business shipments.

From Barron's ● May 12, 2026

It is “very concerning that we’re de-emphasizing covid, which we may live to regret,” Poland said.

From Salon ● May 6, 2025

In 1876, elected President of Bowdoin College, where he attempts to modernize the school, introducing courses in science, de-emphasizing religion, and becomes involved in student demonstrations over the question of ROTC.

From "The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War" by Michael Shaara

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