de-emphasizes
Makes less important
De-emphasizes means to reduce the importance, prominence, or visibility of something.
When a school de-emphasizes standardized testing, it shifts focus away from test scores toward other measures of learning.
The term often appears in discussions of policy, curriculum, or communication strategies where priorities are being deliberately reordered.
The new guidelines de-emphasizes rote memorization in favor of critical thinking.
Minimize emphasis or expression
- understateExpress with restraint
- play downDiminish perceived significance
- soft-pedalDiminish stated significance
- minimizeReduce to smallest extent
trivialize · belittle · depreciate · undervalue · underestimate · downgrade · gloss over · brush aside
Make smaller in degree
- lessenReduce in degree
- decreaseBecome or make smaller
- lowerReduce or move downward
- weakenReduce in strength
attenuate · dilute · moderate · temper · mute · soften · dampen · dull
One's formative experiences
- sidelineSecondary business pursuit
- overshadowDominate by comparison
- eclipseCelestial body blocks another
- maskFace-worn concealment
veil · shroud · bury · hide · conceal · relegate · subordinate · marginalize
underplay
Minimize emphasis or expression
- understateExpress with restraint
- play downDiminish perceived significance
- soft-pedalDiminish stated significance
minimize · trivialize · belittle · depreciate · undervalue · underestimate · downgrade · gloss over · brush aside · make light of
reduce
Make smaller in degree
weaken · attenuate · dilute · moderate · temper · mute · soften · dampen · dull · blunt
background
One's formative experiences
- sidelineSecondary business pursuit
- overshadowDominate by comparison
- eclipseCelestial body blocks another
mask · veil · shroud · bury · hide · conceal · relegate · subordinate · marginalize · push aside
de-emphasizesemphasizes
Gives special importance to
highlights · stresses · accentuates · underscores · spotlights
de-emphasizesamplifies
Increases strength or volume
intensifies · exaggerates · magnifies · dramatizes · overplays