downplay

USAGE SUMMARY

'downplay' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use the word 'downplay' to describe when something is made to seem less important or made to seem less serious than it is. For example, "The CEO attempted to downplay the severity of the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And, most importantly, she gets that millions of women are willing her on to the goal of shattering that glass ceiling, for them - and she is not going to try to downplay that.

The Guardian - Opinion

He also pointed to comments on the official Twitter account of Ahmadu Adamu Muazu, from the ruling People's Democratic party, who looked to downplay the death toll: "We know it's a political period so some of this [sic] things are expected".

The Guardian

"Media attention may be deflected by the current crisis in Iraq and Ukraine yet this plays into the strategy of the Nigerian government who prefer to downplay the issue of Boko Haram and the missing girls in order to save face and project the image that they are on top of the situation".

The Guardian

Real Madrid have not commented officially and have sought to downplay the incident.

The Guardian - Sport

While the ECB has sought to downplay the potential impact of a "Grexit" on neighbouring eurozone nations, others have warned there are obvious risks.

The Guardian - Business

"What we're doing is seen as hugely controversial here and we really have to downplay the political content on the local market," says Chip Tours co-founder Peter Lewis, a US professor of international studies.

The Guardian

Never a man to downplay a drama, he afterwards treasured his bloodied Marks & Spencer shirt and used the incident to focus the eyes of the world on the injustices Catholics in the north of Ireland had suffered since partition in 1921.

The Guardian

Patten sought to to downplay the scale of the £3m-plus severance sweeteners given to departing senior BBC executives, arguing that it is about half the cost of what BSkyB and BT pay to air half a Premiership match.

The Guardian

Though the spin doctors will downplay the significance, be in no doubt: Clegg understands how perilous his position will be if they do not win today.

The Guardian

Teague added then: "You don't want to downplay it, but you get to the point of realizing that it's just something he has to deal with at times".

The Guardian - Sport

The most popular explanations downplay risk factors in a way that can be dangerously misleading.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "downplay" when you want to subtly reduce the perceived importance of something, without necessarily denying its existence or significance. This is often useful in political or business contexts to manage public perception.

Common error

Avoid using "downplay" excessively in formal or academic writing where a more precise verb like "minimize", "understate", or "de-emphasize" might be more appropriate to convey the specific nuance you intend.

Linguistic Context

The verb "downplay" functions to minimize the perceived importance or significance of something. It is used to reduce the impact or attention given to a particular issue, event, or statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "downplay" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed verb used to diminish the perceived significance of something. As Ludwig AI states, it is a correct and usable term in written English. It is most commonly found in News & Media, followed by Formal & Business and Science contexts. While it is generally acceptable in neutral and professional settings, more precise verbs might be preferable in highly formal or academic writing. Related phrases include "minimize", "understate", and "de-emphasize". Use "downplay" to subtly reduce perceived importance, particularly in managing public perception. However, avoid overusing it in contexts that demand greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

play down

This suggests reducing the apparent importance of something.

minimize

This term suggests reducing something to the smallest possible amount or degree, often implying a belittling of its significance.

understate

This indicates presenting something as less significant than it actually is, often for rhetorical effect.

de-emphasize

This highlights reducing the focus or importance given to something.

trivialize

This suggests making something seem unimportant or insignificant, often inappropriately.

gloss over

This implies avoiding detailed consideration or examination of something, often a problem or fault.

soft-pedal

This means to treat something gently or cautiously, often to avoid causing offense or concern.

make light of

This indicates treating something serious as a joke or with amusement.

belittle

This implies making someone or something seem unimportant.

discount

This suggests disregarding or reducing the importance of something.

FAQs

How to use "downplay" in a sentence?

You can use "downplay" to describe the act of making something seem less important or significant than it actually is. For example, "The company tried to downplay the environmental impact of the oil spill."

What can I say instead of "downplay"?

You can use alternatives like "minimize", "understate", or "de-emphasize" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "downplay" or "underrate"?

"Downplay" means to minimize the importance of something, while "underrate" means to underestimate its value or quality. They are similar, but not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "downplay" and "disregard"?

"Downplay" suggests minimizing importance, while "disregard" means to ignore something entirely. To "disregard" is a stronger action, involving a complete lack of consideration.