deemphasize
Reduce in importance
To deemphasize is to reduce the importance or prominence of something.
A company might deemphasize a struggling product line, or a speaker might deemphasize an uncomfortable detail by mentioning it quickly and moving on: The report deemphasized the risks while highlighting potential gains.
The opposite of emphasize.
Minimize emphasis or expression
- soft-pedalDiminish stated significance
- play downDiminish perceived significance
- minimizeReduce to smallest extent
- diminishTo make smaller
understate · tone down · background · sideline · gloss over · brush aside · subordinate · relegate
Make light of
- undervalueEstimate below true worth
- devalueReduce perceived worth
- discountReduced price offered
- depreciateLose value over time
underrate · underestimate · dismiss · slight · disregard · make light of · shrug off · pooh-pooh
Deliberately minimized in expression
- mutedMade quieter or softer
- toned downMade less extreme
- restrainedHeld under control
- subduedReduced in intensity
low-key · unobtrusive · inconspicuous · discreet · modest · soft · gentle · faint
underplay
Minimize emphasis or expression
- soft-pedalDiminish stated significance
- play downDiminish perceived significance
- minimizeReduce to smallest extent
diminish · understate · tone down · background · sideline · gloss over · brush aside · subordinate · relegate · marginalize
trivialize
Make light of
- undervalueEstimate below true worth
- devalueReduce perceived worth
- discountReduced price offered
depreciate · underrate · underestimate · dismiss · slight · disregard · make light of · shrug off · pooh-pooh · wave away
understated
Deliberately minimized in expression
- mutedMade quieter or softer
- toned downMade less extreme
- restrainedHeld under control
subdued · low-key · unobtrusive · inconspicuous · discreet · modest · soft · gentle · faint · quiet
- dismissingbrush aside, brush off, wave off, shrug off, blow off
deemphasizeemphasize
Stress the importance of
stress · highlight · accentuate · underscore · spotlight
deemphasizeoveremphasize
Stress something too much
embroider · exaggerate · amplify · magnify · overstate