de-emphasizing
Reducing in importance
De-emphasizing is the present participle of de-emphasize, meaning to reduce the importance, prominence, or attention given to something.
When you de-emphasize an element in a design, argument, or policy, you deliberately make it less noticeable or central.
The new curriculum is de-emphasizing rote memorization in favor of critical thinking.
The term often appears in discussions of shifting priorities, where one thing must recede so another can come forward.
Deliberately minimized in expression
- nuancedHaving fine distinctions
- implicitUnderstood without being stated
- tacitUnderstood without words
- indirectNot straight or immediate
muted · subdued · restrained · low-key · gentle · soft · delicate · faint
Express with restraint
- play downDiminish perceived significance
- soft-pedalDiminish stated significance
- underplayMinimize emphasis or expression
- gloss overMinimize or conceal flaws
minimize · trivialize · diminish · belittle · discount · shrug off · talk down · brush aside
understated
Deliberately minimized in expression
indirect · muted · subdued · restrained · low-key · gentle · soft · delicate · faint · slight
understate
Express with restraint
- play downDiminish perceived significance
- soft-pedalDiminish stated significance
- underplayMinimize emphasis or expression
gloss over · minimize · trivialize · diminish · belittle · discount · shrug off · talk down · brush aside · make light of
lessen
Reduce in degree
- diminishTo make smaller
- decreaseBecome or make smaller
- scale backReduce in extent
tone down · moderate · attenuate · temper · dial back · soften · mute · dampen · subdue · weaken
de-emphasizingemphasizing
Giving special importance to
highlighting · stressing · accentuating · underscoring · spotlighting
de-emphasizingemphasizing
Giving special importance to
highlighting · underscoring · trumpeting · heralding · championing
de-emphasizingunderlining
Line drawn beneath text
underscoring · accenting · punctuating · bolding · italicizing