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downplayed

[/daʊnˈpleɪd/]
verb (past tense and past participle)
minimizado, atenuado, subestimado
1. To treat or represent something as being less important, serious, or significant than it actually is
The government downplayed the severity of the crisis.
O governo minimizou a gravidade da crise.
2. To reduce the emphasis or prominence of something
She downplayed her role in the project's success.
Ela atenuou seu papel no sucesso do projeto.
3. To present something as less impressive or valuable
He downplayed his achievements to appear humble.
Ele subestimou suas conquistas para parecer humilde.
Synonyms
minimizedunderstateddowngradedbelittleddiminished
Antonyms
exaggeratedemphasizedhighlightedoverstatedmagnified

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
minimizou, atenuou
Most common usage in Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
minimizou, encolheu
Colloquial usage may include 'encolheu' (shrunk/diminished)
São Paulo
minimizou, diminuiu a importância
Formal business context usage
Portugal
minimizou, atenuou, menorizou
European Portuguese may use 'menorizou' (made smaller/less)

Related Idioms & Phrases

play down the importance of something
make light of something
brush something off
sweep something under the rug
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