de-emphasise
Definition
- Verb (transitive):
- To reduce the importance, prominence, or stress given to something; to make something seem less significant or central.
Usage
- The verb de-emphasise is used when describing the action of deliberately making an aspect, idea, or feature less noticeable or less critical within a larger context.
- It often involves a shift in focus, attention, or rhetorical weight.
- It is commonly used in discussions about communication, design, policy, and strategy.
Examples
- Verb:
- The new design will de-emphasise the company's old logo in favour of a more modern symbol.
- In his speech, the politician tried to de-emphasise the economic difficulties and focus on future plans.
- Teachers should not de-emphasise the fundamentals of grammar.
Advanced Usage
- "to de-emphasise the role of": to reduce the perceived importance of a particular function or position.
- The reform aimed to de-emphasise the role of centralised testing in student assessment.
- Used in contrast with "emphasise" or "highlight" to show a deliberate shift in priority.
Variants and Related Words
- De-emphasize (verb): The preferred spelling in American English.
- De-emphasis (noun): The act or result of de-emphasising.
- There has been a noticeable de-emphasis on formal wear in the workplace.
- Downplay (verb): A close synonym meaning to make something seem less important than it really is.
Synonyms
- Downplay
- Minimise (especially British English: minimise)
- Understate
- Soft-pedal (informal)
Antonyms
- Emphasise / Emphasize
- Highlight
- Stress
- Accentuate
- Foreground
Related Phrases
- To shift focus away from: A descriptive phrase with a similar meaning.
- The campaign shifted focus away from past controversies.
- To take a back seat: An idiomatic expression for becoming less prominent.
- In this project, marketing will take a back seat to product development.
Verb
-
reduce the emphasis
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