downplay

• 动词，指故意把某事说得不如实际情况重要或严重。

A verb used to indicate the act of making something seem less important or serious than it actually is.

1. Minimize importanceB2formal

   To make something seem less important or serious than it actually is.

   淡化

   • The politician tried to downplay the severity of the economic crisis.
   • She downplayed her role in the successful project.
   • He downplayed the risks involved in the expedition.

   同义词belittlede-emphasizediminishminimizeplay downsoft-pedaltrivializeunderstate

   反义词accentuateemphasizehighlightoverstatestress

2. Understate qualityB2informal

   To deliberately describe something as less impressive or valuable than it truly is.

   轻描淡写

   • The review downplayed the film's artistic merits.
   • She downplayed her own achievements during the interview.
   • He downplayed the quality of the wine, but it was excellent.

   同义词belittlede-emphasizediminishminimizeplay downtrivializeunderstate

   反义词emphasizeexaggeratehighlightoverstate