downplay

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“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

Sarandos has sought to downplay the controversy, saying during a BBC interview: “This is a business deal, it’s not a political deal.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

This manages to both downplay the role of public health, vaccines, and antibiotics in expanding lifespans and ignore the fact that the Horsemen—especially cancer and neurodegenerative diseases—are ailments of aging.

From Slate • Feb. 26, 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