de-emphasize

especially British, de-em·pha·sise

[dee-em-fuh-sahyz]

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

/ diːˈɛmfəˌsaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to remove emphasis from

Word History and Origins

Origin of de-emphasize¹

First recorded in 1935–40; de- + emphasize

Example Sentences

To carry out her vision, McMahon has brought on at least 20 political appointees from ultraconservative think tanks and advocacy groups eager to de-emphasize public schools, which have educated students for roughly 200 years.

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This focus on tax cuts appears intended to de-emphasize the billions in spending approved under the Big Beautiful Bill — spending that was Vance’s primary focus earlier this year.

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Mr. Trump and his allies, then and now, have tried to tie Mr. Biden to progressive local officials who, for a time, de-emphasized prosecution of some nonviolent crimes to reduce incarceration rates.

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Political experts say there might be heavy pressure from anti-abortion groups to lift the Senate filibuster if the GOP gains full control in Washington, but national organizations have de-emphasized the issue, at least publicly.

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Service providers sought to de-emphasize the use of large shelters during the early days of the pandemic, amid fears of a super spreader event through a vulnerable population.

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