downplay

[ doun-pley ]

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.

downplay

/ ˈdaʊnˌpleɪ /

verb

1. tr to play down; make little of

Word History and Origins

Origin of downplay¹

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

Example Sentences

That included participating in Pence’s infamous Wall Street Journal op-ed in June downplaying the idea of a coronavirus second wave — even as the outbreak was indeed resurging across the country.

From Washington Post

At the time, the president was publicly downplaying the virus’s impact.

From Quartz

Rather than level with the American people back in February and March about the severity of what was coming our way, he downplayed coronavirus, called it a “hoax” and ridiculously said it would “go away like a miracle.”

From Washington Blade

For years, the league had downplayed or outright denied the link between football and brain injury.

From Freakonomics

It also wants the updated law to retain the general prohibition on content monitoring obligations — and downplays the potential of AI to offer any “third way” there.

From TechCrunch

Hagel sought to downplay any rift in a statement to Defense Department employees.

From The Daily Beast

Even people from the “nicest” parts of the country try to downplay that “niceness.”

From The Daily Beast

Instead, she fouled out by trying to defend Obama and downplay the deportation crisis.

From The Daily Beast

There have also been accusations that the U.S. network sought to downplay climate change in the shows.

From The Daily Beast

The controversy did, however, motivate publishers to downplay evolution in their public school textbooks.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• lessen
• play down
• soften