View synonyms for downplay

downplay

[ doun-pley ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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.

downplay

/ ˈdaʊnˌpleɪ /

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

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

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

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

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

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

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