downplay
verb (used with object)
to treat or speak of (something) so as to reduce emphasis on its importance, value, strength, etc..
were downplaying
-
past progressiveof downplay.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Major carriers were downplaying the affect of the reductions, as NPR reported.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 9, 2025
Australia's sovereign wealth fund missed its return target for the year to June and its chairman warned on Wednesday that markets were downplaying the risks from China's economic slowdown and rising inflation.
From Reuters ● Aug. 30, 2023
Other justices thought Blatt and Guarnieri were downplaying the risks to free-speech rights, as several organizations had detailed in amicus briefs.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 22, 2023
Victims' Commissioner Baroness Newlove said police, local councils and housing providers were downplaying the harm caused by crimes such as vandalism.
From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2019
I’d hear neighbors speculate that state officials were downplaying the predators’ spread, for fear of jumpy citizens and trigger-happy cattle ranchers.
From Slate ● Jun. 19, 2018
