de-emphasises
Makes less prominent
De-emphasises is the British spelling of de-emphasizes, meaning to reduce the importance or prominence given to something.
Where emphasis draws attention, de-emphasis withdraws it: The new curriculum de-emphasises rote memorisation in favour of critical thinking.
Often appears in discussions of shifting priorities or changing approaches.
De-emphasizes significance of
- minimisesReduces to smallest extent
- underplaysDeliberately de-emphasizes something
- diminishesBecomes smaller or weaker
- lessensMakes smaller in degree
softens · tones down · plays down · reduces · understates · mutes · tempers · moderates
Minimizes or obscures flaws
- skirtsLower-body garments for women
- avoidsDeliberately stays away from
- deflectsTurns something away
- sidestepsEvades by moving aside
brushes aside · passes over · overlooks · neglects · omits · skips · elides · understates
downplays
De-emphasizes significance of
- minimisesReduces to smallest extent
- underplaysDeliberately de-emphasizes something
- diminishesBecomes smaller or weaker
lessens · softens · tones down · plays down · reduces · understates · mutes · tempers · moderates · dilutes
glosses over
Minimizes or obscures flaws
sidesteps · brushes aside · passes over · overlooks · neglects · omits · skips · elides · understates · downplays
fades
Grows gradually weaker
desaturates · recedes · blurs · softens · backgrounds · shrinks · lightens · flattens · minimises · subordinates
de-emphasisesemphasises
Gives special importance to
highlights · stresses · underscores · accentuates · spotlights
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