downplay

They certainly recognized this, which is why Phillies manager Rob Thomson made no effort to downplay the importance of Game 2.

King’s critiques of capitalism, militarism and structural racism are often downplayed in most mainstream remembrances, leaving behind a softer image of peaceful dreamer.

Authorities downplayed this, saying her occasional calls to agents and local police officers were unsolicited.

But Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna later downplayed his department’s role, saying firefighters typically take the lead because they are “the experts” in such situations.

The Malian army initially downplayed the blockade, with spokesman Col Souleymane Dembélé dismissing reports of a siege as an "information war orchestrated by foreign media".