Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb downplay

2 senses of downplay

Sense 1
understate, minimize, minimise, downplay -- (represent as less significant or important)
       => inform -- (impart knowledge of some fact, state or affairs, or event to; "I informed him of his rights")

Sense 2
background, play down, downplay -- (understate the importance or quality of; "he played down his royal ancestry")
       => stress, emphasize, emphasise, punctuate, accent, accentuate -- (to stress, single out as important; "Dr. Jones emphasizes exercise in addition to a change in diet")