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

Netflix co-Chief Executive Ted Sarandos sought to downplay the latest controversy, saying during a BBC interview Monday: “This is a business deal, it’s not a political deal.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 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

To downplay accusations of being an outside agitator, she ran her operation out of her hotel room, offering direction to state and local suffragists.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling