downplay

trivialize

Make light of

• understateExpress with restraint
• deemphasizeReduce perceived significance
• soft-pedalDiminish stated significance

gloss over · brush off · make light of · talk down · underemphasize · discount · diminish · lessen · reduce · shrink

disregard

Willful lack of attention

• ignoreRefuse to notice
• overlookMiss or commanding view
• neglectFailure to provide care

shrug off · wave away · brush aside · sidestep · bypass · skip over · pass over · set aside · write off · pooh-pooh

obscure

Unknown to most

• maskFace-worn concealment
• hideConceal or pelt
• cover upConceal misdeeds or errors

bury · suppress · hush up · keep quiet · paper over · cloak · veil · camouflage · spin · sanitize

temper

State of mind

• moderateLessen intensity or preside
• muteWithout voice or sound
• tone downReduce intensity or volume

cushion · dampen · blunt · qualify · hedge · gentle · ease · mollify · palliate · tactful

disparage

Express low opinion of

• denigrateCriticize unfairly to harm
• demeanLower in standing
• deprecateExpress earnest disapproval

devalue · degrade · decry · cheapen · mock · ridicule · scorn · put down · run down · badmouth

• sugarcoatingsweeten, soften, gloss over, whitewash, soft-pedal
• downplayingminimizing, trivializing, belittling, soft-pedal, dismissing
• discretiondiscreet, discretion, subtle, understated, unobtrusive
• dismissingbrush aside, brush off, wave off, shrug off, blow off
• Downdownward, downhill, downstairs, downstream, downwind
• softensoften, dampen, mute, muffle, tone down