Meaning & use
downplayed
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“downplayed” is a form of “downplay”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Made something seem less important, serious or risky than it really is; the past tense of downplay.
Grammar: Takes an object: she downplayed the risks.
Patterns
- downplayed something
- downplayed the importance of something
The company downplayed the safety problems in its first statement.
He downplayed his injury so the coach would let him play.
Officials downplayed the risk of a second outbreak.
verbtransitive
Deliberately presented something modestly or quietly, without drawing attention to it.
Grammar: Often about your own success or a plan: she downplayed her role.
Patterns
- downplayed her role in something
She downplayed her role in the rescue when reporters called.
The designer downplayed the logo to keep the style simple.
He downplayed his award, saying many people deserved it.
Word forms
| base form | downplay |
|---|---|
| third person singular | downplays |
| past participle | downplayed |
| -ing form | downplaying |
Common combinations
- downplayed the risks
- The report downplayed the risks of the new drug.
- downplayed the importance
- He downplayed the importance of the meeting.
- downplayed his achievements
- She always downplayed her achievements.
- downplayed the threat
- Leaders downplayed the threat at first.
- downplayed the significance
- The team downplayed the significance of the loss.
Synonyms and how they differ
- minimized
- Minimized is more formal and suggests making something as small as possible in people's minds.
- played down
- Played down is the phrasal form and is slightly more spoken, with the same meaning.
- understated
- Understated can be an honest description that is gentle, while downplayed often suggests hiding the truth.
- belittled
- Belittled means treating something or someone as unimportant, with a more insulting tone.
Opposites
Word family
- downplay verb
- to make seem less important
- play down phrasal verb
- another form of downplay
- understate verb
- to describe as smaller than reality
- downplaying noun
- the act of making something seem less serious
Commonly confused: downplayed or downplay vs. down play?
downplayed vs downplay vs. down play
Downplay is one word as a verb; down play written separately is not standard.
Practice
The minister ___ the scandal, calling it a small misunderstanding even though thousands were affected.
Choose one answer.
Downplayed means made seem less serious. Highlighted and exaggerated do the opposite, and announced does not suggest minimizing.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “downplayed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.