de-prioritize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "de-prioritize" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of making something less important or reducing its priority in a given context. Example: "In light of recent developments, we have decided to de-prioritize the marketing campaign for this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

It would have allowed for so-called slow lanes, giving cable companies the right to de-prioritize the speed of some Web sites in favor of others.

The New Yorker

A 2014 memo by the head of the Department of Homeland Security urges ICE to de-prioritize the removal of those convicted of drug offenses, if "there are compelling and exceptional factors that clearly indicate the alien is not a threat to national security border security, or public safety and should not therefore be an enforcement priority".

The Guardian

The directive urges ICE to de-prioritize the removal of those convicted of drug offenses, if "there are compelling and exceptional factors that clearly indicate the alien is not a threat to national security border security, or public safety and should not therefore be an enforcement priority".

The Guardian

The use of structural alerts to de-prioritize compounds with undesirable features as drug candidates has been gaining in popularity.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Launching new online campaigns can mean waiting for the engineering team of the company to de-prioritize working on product features to create time for marketing's needs.

TechCrunch

These companies have chosen to de-prioritize their own singular brand in service of the people and stories that are actually powering their service.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

We de-prioritized it.

TechCrunch

In the beginning, that was with hockey and baseball, because those have been de-prioritized by the bigger players.

TechCrunch

Users will have to worry about making their posts good enough to be chosen by the algorithm or their posts could be de-prioritized.

TechCrunch

For example, while Google has famously begun de-prioritizing the role of a college degree in the hiring process, if a student took a Stanford college course in an OEA-recognized subject, Google might give it more weight in an interview.

TechCrunch

The KMT's recent behavior toward human rights defenders shows it has de-prioritized human rights.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "de-prioritize", ensure the context clearly indicates what is gaining priority as a result. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "de-prioritize" without specifying the timeframe or conditions under which something is being de-prioritized. Lack of context can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of priorities.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "de-prioritize" is as a verb, indicating the act of reducing the priority of something. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is commonly used to describe actions taken by organizations or individuals to shift focus.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "de-prioritize" is a commonly used verb that signifies reducing the importance or urgency of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains. While primarily found in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral to professional tone. When using "de-prioritize", ensure to provide context about what is gaining priority and the conditions under which the shift is occurring, enhancing clarity and avoiding ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "reduce priority" or "lower the importance" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce priority

Focuses on the action of lessening the priority level.

lower the importance

Emphasizes diminishing the significance of something.

downgrade

Implies a reduction in rank or status.

push back

Suggests delaying or postponing something, lessening its immediate importance.

shelve

Means to postpone or put aside for later consideration.

put on the back burner

Idiomatic expression for giving something a lower priority.

take a backseat

Suggests allowing something to become less prominent or influential.

scale down

Emphasizes a reduction in scope or intensity.

relegate

Suggests assigning something to a lower position or less important status.

make secondary

Directly indicates assigning a lower level of importance.

FAQs

How can I use "de-prioritize" in a sentence?

You can use "de-prioritize" to indicate that something is being given a lower priority. For example, "Due to budget cuts, we had to de-prioritize several non-essential projects."

What is a good alternative to "de-prioritize"?

Alternatives to "de-prioritize" include "reduce priority", "lower the importance", or "downgrade" depending on the context.

When should I use "de-prioritize" instead of "postpone"?

"De-prioritize" suggests a shift in importance relative to other tasks, whereas "postpone" simply means to delay something. You might "de-prioritize" a task indefinitely, but postponing implies it will be done later.

Is it better to "de-prioritize" or "eliminate" a task?

The choice depends on whether the task is still necessary but less urgent (de-prioritize) or completely unnecessary (eliminate). "De-prioritizing" means it's still on the list, just lower down.