downplay

[ doun-pley ]

/ ˈdaʊnˌpleɪ /

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See synonyms for: downplay / downplayed / downplaying on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

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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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of downplay

1950–55; down¹ + play, from verb phrase play down

Words nearby downplay

down one's nose, down on one's luck, Downpatrick, down payment, downpipe, downplay, downpour, down quark, downrange, downrate, downregulation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use downplay in a sentence

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.
A devastating picture of Trump’s coronavirus response — from a firsthand witness|Aaron Blake|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
At the time, the president was publicly downplaying the virus’s impact.
Bob Woodward’s book proves Americans still want to read about Trump|Karen Ho|September 11, 2020|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.”
Vote for Biden (duh)|Kevin Naff|September 10, 2020|Washington Blade
For years, the league had downplayed or outright denied the link between football and brain injury.
Why Can’t Schools Get What the N.F.L. Has? (Ep. 431)|Stephen J. Dubner|September 10, 2020|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.
Google pushes Europe to limit ‘gatekeeper’ platform rules|Natasha Lomas|September 4, 2020|TechCrunch
Hagel sought to downplay any rift in a statement to Defense Department employees.
Hagel Takes a Bullet for Obama: Inside the Defense Secretary’s Sudden Firing|Shane Harris, Tim Mak|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even people from the “nicest” parts of the country try to downplay that “niceness.”
Cleveland Comes Crawling Back to LeBron: The Masochism of Rust Belt Chic|Arthur Chu|July 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead, she fouled out by trying to defend Obama and downplay the deportation crisis.
Hillary Clinton’s Latino Problem|Ruben Navarrette Jr.|June 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There have also been accusations that the U.S. network sought to downplay climate change in the shows.
Sir David Attenborough: Enough With the Creationists and Climate Change Deniers!|Nico Hines|February 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The controversy did, however, motivate publishers to downplay evolution in their public school textbooks.
Creationism’s Latest Trojan Horse Edges Toward Virginia Schools|Karl W. Giberson|January 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for downplay

downplay

/ (ˈdaʊnˌpleɪ) /

verb

(tr) to play down; make little of

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

downplay

Origin of downplay

Words nearby downplay

Words related to downplay

How to use downplay in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for downplay