downplay

American  

[doun-pley] / ˈdaʊnˌpleɪ /

verb (used with object)

1. to treat or speak of (something) so as to reduce emphasis on its importance, value, strength, etc..

   The press has downplayed the president's role in the negotiations.

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downplay British  

/ ˈdaʊnˌpleɪ /

verb

1. (tr) to play down; make little of

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Etymology

Origin of downplay

1950–55; down ¹ + play, from verb phrase play down

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.

Example Sentences

“South Korea will downplay the moving of U.S. assets to maintain a good relationship with Trump,” said Grossman, who is now a professor at the University of Southern California.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

True, Matthew Robinson’s funny, savage and surprising script doesn’t downplay its inspirations.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026

The former chief nursing officer told the inquiry: "In no way would I have sought to downplay the seriousness of the concerns conveyed by Dr Peters."

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

And to do that, you have to downplay the contributions of expectation, of love, of hope, of therapy—the aspects of psychedelics that many long-term practitioners say give them power and promise.

From Slate • Jan. 30, 2026

To downplay accusations of being an outside agitator, she ran her operation out of her hotel room, offering direction to state and local suffragists.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Related Words

• lessen
• play down
• soften