Downplay
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Downplay is a verb meaning (transitive) To de-emphasize; to present or portray as less important or consequential.
Meaning
(transitive) To de-emphasize; to present or portray as less important or consequential.
Example Sentences
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie is no ordinary thriller. John Cassavetes, as usual, downplays the plot, opting for character and endless improvisation, but it does not entirely work in this setting.
[Milo] Yiannopoulos, whose own career as a far-right pundit imploded in 2017 after remarks he had made downplaying the seriousness of pedophilia surfaced, claims he has more damaging videos to release about [Ali] Alexander and [Nick] Fuentes.
Word Forms
- downplays
- downplaying
- downplayed
Synonyms for downplay
Depending on context, synonyms include trivialize, understate, bagatellize, banalize, belittle, cut down.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include de-emphasize, underplay, understate, underestimate, belittle, detract.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.