de-emphasize
Make less prominent
De-emphasize means to reduce the importance or prominence of something.
A company might de-emphasize quarterly earnings in favor of long-term growth metrics.
A speaker de-emphasizes a point by glossing over it quickly.
The new curriculum de-emphasizes rote memorization.
The opposite of emphasize.
Minimize emphasis or expression
- soft-pedalDiminish stated significance
- play downDiminish perceived significance
- minimizeReduce to smallest extent
- understateExpress with restraint
tone down · gloss over · brush aside · make light of · low-key · mute · dampen · temper
Make light of
- disparageExpress low opinion of
- discountReduced price offered
- dismissSend away or reject
- devalueReduce perceived worth
depreciate · denigrate · underrate · underestimate · pooh-pooh · slight · snub · brush off
Make smaller in degree
- lessenReduce in degree
- decreaseBecome or make smaller
- weakenReduce in strength
- attenuateReduce in force
dilute · soften · subdue · scale back · dial down · taper · curtail · abate
Lack of sharpness
- cloudAtmospheric water vapor mass
- maskFace-worn concealment
- veilFabric that obscures
- shroudBurial cloth or covering
obfuscate · muddy · hide · conceal · camouflage · bury · screen · shadow
Turn from course
- distractDivert someone's attention
- sidetrackDivert from purpose
- redirectSend in new direction
- overshadowDominate by comparison
shift focus · eclipse · outshine · upstage · steal thunder · dwarf
underplay
Minimize emphasis or expression
- soft-pedalDiminish stated significance
- play downDiminish perceived significance
- minimizeReduce to smallest extent
understate · tone down · gloss over · brush aside · make light of · low-key · mute · dampen · temper · moderate
trivialize
Make light of
devalue · depreciate · denigrate · underrate · underestimate · pooh-pooh · slight · snub · brush off · write off
reduce
Make smaller in degree
attenuate · dilute · soften · subdue · scale back · dial down · taper · curtail · abate · lower
blur
Lack of sharpness
shroud · obfuscate · muddy · hide · conceal · camouflage · bury · screen · shadow · disguise
deflect
Turn from course
shift focus · overshadow · eclipse · outshine · upstage · steal thunder · dwarf
- downplayingminimizing, downplay, trivializing, belittling, soft-pedal
- softensoften, dampen, mute, muffle, tone down
- Reduceshrink, diminish, decrease, lessen, reduce
de-emphasizeemphasize
Stress the importance of
emphasise · stress · highlight · accentuate · underscore
de-emphasizeoveremphasize
Stress something too much
overstate · exaggerate · overplay · overdraw · overdo