PLAYED DOWN Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

played down

verb

past tense of play down

as in dismissed

to express scornfully one's low opinion of out of sheer envy, she would always play down her sister's accomplishments

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in minimized

to reduce in apparent importance if you play down your part in the project, you won't get the credit you deserve

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of played down Trottier played down the middle in both games in his first rookie tournament and handled himself admirably. — Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 With the Kroenke deal, the Angels will plug into a much larger sports and media ecosystem that should benefit the team that has always played down the road in Orange County in the shadow of the region’s beloved Los Angeles Dodgers franchise. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026 But Blanche played down concerns that the erosion of judicial trust could impede his efforts to advance his agenda. — Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Miami coach Mario Cristobal played down preseason hype around his team. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2026 The industry is one of the key drivers of Indian economic growth and middle-class expansion, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has played down job displacement concerns. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Iranian state television earlier played down the outcome of the Iran-Oman discussions, citing a person familiar with the matter as saying an agreement between Tehran and Muscat would not necessarily mean the strait would open immediately. — Bloomberg, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026 Longer term, there has been speculation — which Lewis played down in February — that Diageo’s 34% stake in the champagne and cognac business Moët Hennessy may be sold to majority shareholder LVMH. — Ian King, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026 Yamal has always played down the comparison, focusing instead on being the best version of himself. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for played down

Verb

Following the meeting, the president dismissed the idea of new AI rules and reiterated his view that the industry should police itself.

— Jeff Masonand Michael Shepard Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Like his brother, John had at first dismissed the idea of an American being elected to the papacy.

— Scott Detrow, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismissed

Verb

That is quite far apart from the commercial industry, which actually stands to be diminished by these policy reforms.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 7 Oct. 2026
By raw numbers, net domestic out-migration of Californians to other states continues even as the California exodus overall has diminished in strength.

— Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminished

Verb

In a statement, ICE downplayed the significance of the memo, which said the new guidance was intended to replace and amend prior directives issued earlier this year, last year and in 2018.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
When asked about rampant rumors that Sarandos had been courting HBO/HBO Max content chairman Casey Bloys for a job or production deal, the exec downplayed it.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of downplayed

Verb

The documentary came off iPlayer last year after its window ran down.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Hours before, a line ran down 65th Street and around the block with fans trying to score a ticket to the world premiere at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 6 Oct. 2026