downplay

Verb

• understate the importance or quality of
  • he played down his royal ancestry
    

• represent as less significant or important

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  background , play down , understate , minimize , minimise
• Antonyms: 
  foreground , highlight , spotlight , play up , overstate , exaggerate , overdraw , hyperbolize , hyperbolise , magnify , amplify