downplay

American  

[doun-pley] / ˈdaʊnˌpleɪ /

verb (used with object)

1. 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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downplay British  

/ ˈdaʊnˌpleɪ /

verb

1. (tr) to play down; make little of

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Etymology

Origin of downplay

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

Example Sentences

“South Korea will downplay the moving of U.S. assets to maintain a good relationship with Trump,” said Grossman, who is now a professor at the University of Southern California.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Netflix co-Chief Executive Ted Sarandos sought to downplay the latest controversy, saying during a BBC interview Monday: “This is a business deal, it’s not a political deal.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

And to do that, you have to downplay the contributions of expectation, of love, of hope, of therapy—the aspects of psychedelics that many long-term practitioners say give them power and promise.

From Slate • Jan. 30, 2026

Italian authorities initially denied the presence of ICE and then sought to downplay any role, suggesting they would help only in security for the US delegation.

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026

President Johnson tried to downplay the massive attack at a news conference on February 2, saying “a few bandits can do that in any city.”

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge

Related Words

• lessen
• play down
• soften