underemphasize

[ uhn-der-em-fuh-sahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, un·der·em·pha·sized, un·der·em·pha·siz·ing.

1. to give less than sufficient emphasis to; minimize.

Word History and Origins

Origin of underemphasize¹

First recorded in 1965–70; under- + emphasize

Example Sentences

She said corporate diversity programs that focus too heavily on meeting numerical goals can often underemphasize the changes necessary so that people of color actually want to work there.

From Seattle Times

Talking to players about how you handle that, where did you learn, A, what’s the key to that success, and how did you learn not to overemphasize it or underemphasize it, if you could speak to that?

From Seattle Times

“I think we as scientists tend to underemphasize the aesthetic aspect of science,” he says.

From Scientific American

"They may think by doing that they emphasize appropriately how morally bad the death penalty is, but I think by equating them they underemphasize how distinctively morally bad torture is," he said.

From BBC

In contrast, supporters of regulations allege that critics exaggerate compliance costs and underemphasize health and other benefits of clean air and water.

From Salon