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Verb: downplay  dawn'pley
  1. Represent as less significant or important
    "Again the raw growth numbers downplay the gain in economic well-being";
    - understate, minimize, minimise [Brit]
     
  2. Understate the importance or quality of
    "he downplayed his royal ancestry";
    - background, play down

Derived forms: downplayed, downplaying, downplays

Type of: accent, accentuate, emphasise [Brit], emphasize, inform, punctuate, stress

Antonym: amplify, spotlight

Encyclopedia: Downplay