Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

play-down

verb
/pleɪ daʊn/
Definition
To make something seem less important or serious than it is.
Examples
  • During the meeting, she tried to play down the impact of the budget cuts.
  • He often plays down his achievements, claiming he was just lucky.
  • To play down the seriousness of the situation can lead to misunderstandings.
Meaning
The act of minimizing or reducing the perceived significance of a situation or issue.
Synonyms
  • minimize
  • downplay
  • diminish
  • understate