downplay

Preposition: of

• significance: There is still widespread disbelief or downplaying of the real significance of Peak Oil.
• role: Perhaps the only major quibble between the novels and the screenplays is the downplaying of the role of Sergeant Wield on television.

Object

• awfulness: The comments on downplaying the awfulness of the scenario strike a chord with me.
• seriousness: However, that was not to downplay the seriousness of what had happened.
• importance: To downplay the importance of learning a language, that can't be right.
• threat: But there are vested interests trying to obscure the science and downplay the threat in order to keep their present position.
• role: However, certain camps may try to downplay the role of the people in future Iraqi developments.

Used with why or when

• what: They all deserved punishment and Jackson, as sometimes happens, sounded silly downplaying what they had done.

Modifying Another Word

• often: The importance of these is often downplayed in discussion of Keynes's work.
• also: The role of memory is also downplayed in favor of the internalization of language rules which may not be explicitly explained.
• n't: It also gives you the edge over other candidates with similar qualifications as yourself, so do n't downplay its importance.
• consistently: The problems and failings of PPPs are consistently downplayed.
• significantly: Moreover, while seeking to significantly downplay its own role the Government makes much of the role of trustees.
• always: Nintendo always downplays them self's, they act coy.

Preposition: in

• favor: The role of memory is also downplayed in favor of the internalization of language rules which may not be explicitly explained.
• circle: However, cosmic purposes like setting the creation to rights and gathering all things together in Christ seem to be downplayed in Reformed circles.
• discussion: The risks with NSAIDs always seem to be downplayed in these discussions.