downplay
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Etymology
Origin of downplay
Explanation
To downplay something is to act as if it's not very important. If you're trying to convince your friends to play poker with you, you might downplay the fact that you're an experienced and competitive player. Politicians who depend on contributions from oil and gas companies tend to downplay the environmental effects of their products, and a boy who wants a trampoline for his birthday might downplay the possible dangers when he talks to his parents about it. Downplay is a relatively recent addition to the English language, dating from the late 1960s.
Vocabulary lists containing downplay
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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.
“Considering higher energy prices and PPI inflation, we see a possibility that policymakers may downplay their pledge for high-profile monetary easing such as policy rate cuts,” Goldman said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026
The strong desire to remain at home can lead owners to downplay future expenses and assume things will somehow “work out.”
From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026
"It makes sense to downplay the overall financial exposure so investors don't leave," Eric Goldman, an associate dean and professor at Santa Clara University School of Law in Silicon Valley, told the BBC.
From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026
The Rams will downplay the narrative that they are once again going all-in for a chance to win a Super Bowl at home.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026
As Luke was opening his mouth to downplay it, to tell her it wasn’t a problem—that Toby was as tough as he was annoying—Annie leaned over and kissed him.
From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
