de-emphasize

[ dee-em-fuh-sahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, de-em·pha·sized, de-em·pha·siz·ing.

1. to place less emphasis upon; reduce in importance, size, scope, etc.:

   The university de-emphasized intercollegiate football.

de-emphasize

/ diːˈɛmfəˌsaɪz /

verb

1. tr to remove emphasis from

Word History and Origins

Origin of de-emphasize¹

First recorded in 1935–40; de- + emphasize

Example Sentences

Many Americans move to places that de-emphasize the particularities of their local community.

From The Daily Beast

But the soothing big-tent implications offered by those who say the GOP should de-emphasize social issues only seem to go one way.

From The Daily Beast