Looking for synonyms for de-emphasize? We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a list of other ways to say de-emphasize.
- Downplay
- Understate
- Play down
- Soft-pedal
- Minimize
- Underemphasize
- Diminish
- Trivialize
- Lessen
- Mitigate
- Belittle
- Subdue
- Moderate
- Reduce
- Tone down
Want to learn how to say de-emphasize professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.
1. Downplay
Appropriate Use: Suitable for making a situation or issue seem less important or serious than it actually is.
Example: “The company spokesperson tried to downplay the impact of the data breach on customer privacy.”
2. Understate
Appropriate Use: Ideal for describing a situation less strongly or significantly than it really is.
Example: “The report understated the success of the new product launch to manage shareholder expectations.”
3. Play Down
Appropriate Use: Best used for intentionally making something seem less important or serious.
Example: “The manager played down the urgency of the issue to avoid panic among the staff.”
4. Soft-pedal
Appropriate Use: Suitable for reducing the force or emphasis of something, often to avoid offending or alarming others.
Example: “In the meeting, he soft-pedaled his criticism to maintain team morale.”
5. Minimize
Appropriate Use: Ideal for making something appear smaller or less significant.
Example: “The PR team’s strategy was to minimize the negative press surrounding the event.”
6. Underemphasize
Appropriate Use: Used when less importance is given to something than is warranted.
Example: “The presentation underemphasized the risks involved in the new venture.”
7. Diminish
Appropriate Use: Suitable for making something seem smaller or less important.
Example: “The company’s consistent success helped to diminish concerns about market volatility.”
8. Trivialize
Appropriate Use: Best for making something seem less complex or serious than it really is.
Example: “Critics accused the documentary of trivializing the complexities of the political situation.”
9. Lessen
Appropriate Use: Ideal for making something seem smaller, weaker, or less important.
Example: “The CEO’s statement aimed to lessen investor worries about the upcoming merger.”
10. Mitigate
Appropriate Use: Suitable for making something less severe, serious, or painful.
Example: “The company took steps to mitigate the negative impact of the restructuring on employees.”
11. Belittle
Appropriate Use: Used when making something or someone seem unimportant or not worth considering.
Example: “During negotiations, it’s unwise to belittle the concerns of the other party.”
12. Subdue
Appropriate Use: Best for making something less intense or noticeable.
Example: “She subdued her reaction to the feedback to maintain a professional demeanor.”
13. Moderate
Appropriate Use: Suitable for making something less extreme or intense.
Example: “The mediator worked to moderate the tone of the discussion during the conflict resolution session.”
14. Reduce
Appropriate Use: Ideal for making something smaller in size, amount, or extent.
Example: “The report aimed to reduce the complexity of the technical information for a broader audience.”
15. Tone Down
Appropriate Use: Used for making something less forceful or offensive.
Example: “The advertising team was advised to tone down the language of the campaign to appeal to a wider audience.”
