WordGarden.iodeemphasize
C2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /diˈɛmfəˌsaɪz/
Meanings
Verb
to make something seem less important or less prominent
Beyond the definition
Sometimes, when talking about lots of different things, you want people to focus on some things more than others. That's where "deemphasize" comes in. To deemphasize something is to make it seem less important—like turning down the volume on a particular idea or detail. A politician might deemphasize negative aspects of their past while highlighting successes, or a teacher might deemphasize memorization in favor of critical thinking. It's about shifting focus, not necessarily ignoring something entirely. Think of it as subtly lowering the spotlight.
To deemphasize means to reduce the importance or prominence of something—to present it as less significant than other things. It's a subtle act of downplaying, often done strategically to guide attention elsewhere.
You might deemphasize certain details in a story to create suspense, or a company might deemphasize short-term profits in favor of long-term growth. Unlike ignore or dismiss, which suggest complete rejection, "deemphasize" implies acknowledging something while intentionally minimizing its impact.
The word is often used in contexts involving communication, strategy, and prioritization. For example: "The report deemphasized the risks associated with the project," meaning those risks were mentioned but not given much weight. Or, "She tried to deemphasize her role in the success of the team," suggesting she wanted others to share the credit.
Deemphasizing isn't about lying or hiding information; it's about controlling how that information is presented and perceived. It's a delicate balance between acknowledging something and subtly guiding attention away from it, making other aspects seem more crucial. So, when you want to lessen the focus on something without completely erasing it, you deemphasize.
Examples
- 1
Report focus
In the revised report, the editor chose to deemphasize the technical details and highlight the main findings.
- 2
Classroom teaching
The teacher deemphasized memorization and spent more time on discussion.
- 3
Advertising
Recent ads for the brand have deemphasized price in favor of quality.
- Phrasein favor of
instead of giving more attention to
- 4
Project role
His role in the project was deliberately deemphasized after the team changed direction.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Campaign messaging
The campaign tried to deemphasize their differences and focus on what the two sides agreed on.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- understate
- soft-pedal
- marginalize
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- deemphasize the importance of
- deemphasize the role of
- deemphasize differences
Word family
- deemphasis
- deemphasized
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- deemphasizeverb