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

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

True, Matthew Robinson’s funny, savage and surprising script doesn’t downplay its inspirations.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 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

The term used by linguists to describe what Klotz was engaging in in that moment is “mitigated speech,” which refers to any attempt to downplay or sugarcoat the meaning of what is being said.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell