Synonyms

de-emphasize

American

[dee-em-fuh-sahyz] / diˈɛm fəˌsaɪz /

especially British, de-emphasise

verb (used with object)

de-emphasized, de-emphasizing

to place less emphasis upon; reduce in importance, size, scope, etc..

The university de-emphasized intercollegiate football.

de-emphasize British

/ diːˈɛmfəˌsaɪz /

verb

(tr) to remove emphasis from

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of de-emphasize

First recorded in 1935–40; de- + emphasize

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Some Berkshire watchers think that Abel will de-emphasize equity investing as CEO.

From Barron's

Lockheed stock was flat over that span, with investors worried that militaries would de-emphasize their manned fighter jets in favor of lower-cost autonomous systems.

From Barron's

“When you de-emphasize that, then you just call up your friends as you were doing before,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal

McLennan explained that the fund will, at times, de-emphasize gold and load up more on stocks.

From MarketWatch

Vera Bradley, the maker of quilted bags and accessories, is changing strategy again following a rebrand that de-emphasized its signature florals and patterns—and left some of its loyal consumers fuming.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023