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Definitions

make light of

VERB
downplay
Synonyms
STRONGEST
lessen play down soften
STRONG
devalue whitewash
WEAK
attach little importance to deemphasize give little weight to think nothing of
VERB
minimize
Synonyms
STRONGEST
curtail decrease diminish downplay lessen play down reduce trivialize underestimate
STRONG
abbreviate attenuate belittle cheapen decry deprecate depreciate derogate detract discount disparage dwarf knock miniaturize pan pooh-pooh prune shrink underplay
WEAK
cut down to size knock down make little of poor-mouth put down run down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
develop enlarge expand extend grow increase lengthen prolong raise strengthen
STRONG
approve build up commend compliment exalt laud praise
WEAK
maximize overestimate overrate
VERB
neglect
Synonyms
STRONGEST
discount disregard ignore overlook reject spurn underestimate
STRONG
affront condemn depreciate despise detest disdain dismiss pretermit rebuff scant scorn slight slur
WEAK
brush aside brush off have nothing to do with keep at arm's length keep one's distance laugh off let go live with not care for pass by pass over pass up pay no attention to pay no mind shrug off tune out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
attend heed look at note notice pay attention recognize regard respect
STRONG
admire approve cherish compliment flatter like love praise welcome
WEAK
accomplish achieve complete concern do finish guard nurture protect succeed take care of watch
VERB
overlook
Synonyms
STRONGEST
discount forget ignore omit
STRONG
disdain miss overpass pass slight
WEAK
fail to notice leave out leave undone let fall between the cracks let go let slide pass by pay no attention slip up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
pay attention recognize remember
STRONG
get praise
WEAK
attend deny follow heed honor look at notice prevent refuse regard respect serve veto
VERB
palliate
Synonyms
STRONG
abate allay alleviate assuage camouflage cloak conceal condone cover diminish disguise dissemble ease exculpate excuse extenuate hide justify lessen lighten mask minimize mitigate moderate mollify prettify qualify relieve screen soften soothe sugarcoat temper varnish veil veneer vindicate white whiten whitewash
WEAK
apologize for gloze hush up put on a Band-Aid quick fix
Antonyms
STRONG
accuse aggravate agitate allow blacken blame burden condemn darken depress disclose divulge enlarge expose extend incite increase intensify irritate lay bare let out magnify open prolong provoke reveal sentence show strip tell trouble uncover unmask upset worry worsen
VERB
play down
Synonyms
STRONGEST
belittle deemphasize gloss over minimize mute soft pedal soften underplay
WEAK
hold back make little of restrain underrate
Antonyms
WEAK
blow up build up explode play up
VERB
pooh-pooh
Synonyms
STRONGEST
belittle play down repudiate
STRONG
discount disregard rebuff reject
WEAK
brush aside scoff at sneer at treat with contempt wave aside
Antonyms
STRONGEST
build up
STRONG
attend pay attention
VERB
scoff
Synonyms
STRONGEST
belittle deride jeer mock reject ridicule scorn sneer
STRONG
boo contemn disbelieve discount discredit disdain flout gibe knock pan pooh-pooh rag rally revile ride tease
WEAK
dig at laugh at poke fun at show contempt
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approve compliment flatter praise
STRONG
admire believe commend honor respect trust
WEAK
be nice
VERB
slight
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disparage scorn snub
STRONG
affront chill contemn cool cut despise discount disdain disregard flout forget ignore neglect omit overlook pooh-pooh reject scoff skip slur upstage
WEAK
blink at brush off cold-shoulder give the brush give the cold shoulder to not give time of day show disrespect shrug off sneeze at treat with contempt turn deaf ear to
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approve
STRONG
admire attend cherish compliment esteem heed honor note notice pay attention praise recognize regard respect
WEAK
flatter
VERB
underestimate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
belittle miscalculate underrate undervalue
STRONG
deprecate depreciate disesteem disparage miscarry slight
WEAK
not do justice put down sell short think too little of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
exaggerate overestimate overrate overvalue praise value
STRONG
approve commend compliment flatter laud
WEAK
maximize
VERB
whitewash
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cover up gloss over
STRONG
blanch camouflage conceal exonerate extenuate launder liberate paint palliate sugarcoat suppress varnish veneer vindicate whiten
Antonyms
STRONG
accuse blame condemn reveal sentence show strip uncover
WEAK
expose tell the truth

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.

Kaufman stressed: "The defence does not disrespect the soul of any deceased person, nor does it make light of the loss of life."

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

It’s frustrating that our leaders have used social media to make light of a very serious issue that affects people’s lives.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026

X owner Elon Musk and other executives at xAI—the artificial intelligence company that now owns X Corporation—appeared to make light of the matter before acknowledging that they needed to “tighten our gaurdrails.”

From Slate • Jan. 6, 2026

On Tuesday, Kimmel teared up when he spoke of Kirk’s death and said he never meant to make light of a young man’s killing.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 25, 2025

Alex shrugged, trying to make light of it.

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.