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.

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de-emphasize British  

/ diːˈɛmfəˌsaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to remove emphasis from

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Etymology

Origin of de-emphasize

First recorded in 1935–40; de- + emphasize

Example Sentences

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

All told, the changes are moving UChicago to what Ando sees as a place where graduate education is de-emphasized, the undergraduate college is expanding and more students are taught by cheaper, non-tenure-track faculty.

From The Wall Street Journal

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.

From Seattle Times

The Gates foundation policy dovetails with calls by some open-access advocates to de-emphasize the role of journal articles in quality control and professional evaluations.

From Science Magazine

The center de-emphasized classical music in the programming of the events it produced in favor of other genres.

From Seattle Times