de-emphasize

verb

(ˌ)dē-ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsīz How to pronounce de-emphasize (audio)
Definition of de-emphasizenext
as in to minimize
to reduce in apparent importance you're at a point in your career where you can de-emphasize your academic record and emphasize your work experience

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of de-emphasize At the very least, players and parents feel the university is de-emphasizing its support for lacrosse. — Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 27 May 2026 Along with his predecessor Pam Bondi, Blanche oversaw a Justice Department that radically de-emphasized the prosecution of white-collar crimes, like the kind the Kaplan twins were convicted of. — Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 26 May 2026 However, Sempra is in the process of de-emphasizing its LNG investments. — Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026 Old-line liberals have blasted the democratic socialist for de-emphasizing a police presence in favor of volunteers and contract workers armed with little more than overdose kits, notepads and phone numbers. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for de-emphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-emphasize
  1. minimize
  2. downplay
  3. dismiss
  4. soft-pedal
Verb
  • Once the major economies stop asking how to minimize the global costs of adjustment and begin asking instead how to minimize their own risk, the opportunity to find a relatively painless solution to the global trade imbalance will have passed.
    — MICHAEL PETTIS, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The hotel takes part in ‘Green Engage’ initiatives to minimize carbon footprint and is committed to reducing plastic use by 90 percent and glass waste by 80 percent (although no official end-date has been set).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of minimize
Verb
  • Analysts suggest this may reflect that as the Fed gradually downplays forward guidance, market sensitivity to Fed wording—as well as the Fed's overall influence over markets—could be waning.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Shifting emphasis moving into the general election A number of Republicans have removed or downplayed references to Trump from their websites after winning their primaries.
    — Steve Peoples, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of downplay
Verb
  • On Wednesday, lawyers for Gomez filed a motion to dismiss the artist from the suit, and said she should have never been dragged into the case in the first place.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
  • El-Sayed dismissed a potential fundraising gap in the race, which could occur if donors were pushed towards Rogers or if outside groups like AIPAC intervened on Rogers’ behalf.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of dismiss
Verb
  • Its screenplay, which Dolan hatched in collaboration with three others, tries to soft-pedal predictable beats that nonetheless end up the only ones getting beaten.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
  • But Paddy’s isn’t Sudz, and the Gang’s efforts to soft-pedal their antics to be more in line with those mainstream bars devolved into typical Sunny-style hostility and off-putting grossness.
    — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
Definition of soft-pedal

Browse Nearby Words

de-emphasis
de-emphasize
de-emphasized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“De-emphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-emphasize. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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