Cause to seem less serious; play down.
synonyms: belittle, denigrate, minimize.
Roget 940:
be dishonest
etc.
adj.;
play false;
break one's word,
break one's faith,
break one's promise;
jilt,
betray,
forswear;
shuffle
etc.
(lie)
544;
live by one's wits,
sail near the wind.
disgrace oneself,
dishonor oneself,
demean oneself;
derogate,
stoop,
grovel,
sneak,
lose caste;
sell oneself,
go over to the enemy;
seal one's infamy.
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Roget 934:
detract,
derogate,
decry,
deprecate,
depreciate,
disparage;
run down,
cry down;
backcap [U.S.];
belittle;
sneer at
etc.
(contempt)
930;
criticize,
pull to pieces,
pick a hole in one's coat,
asperse,
cast aspersions,
blow upon,
bespatter,
blacken,
vilify,
vilipend†;
avile†;
give a dog a bad name,
brand,
malign;
muckrake;
backbite,
libel,
lampoon,
traduce,
slander,
defame,
calumniate,
bear false witness against;
speak ill of behind one's back.
fling dirt
etc.
(disrespect)
929;
anathematize
etc.
932;
dip the pen in gall,
view in a bad light.
impugn
(disparage the motives of);
assail,
attack
etc.
716;
oppose
etc.
708;
denounce,
accuse
etc.
938.
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Dutch: afwijken, denigreren, bagatelliseren, kleineren