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Downplay vs Distain - What's the difference?

downplay | distain |

As verbs the difference between downplay and distain

is that downplay is to de-emphasize; to present or portray as less important or consequential while distain is to stain, discolour or tarnish.

downplay

English

Alternative forms

* play down

Verb

(en verb)
  • To de-emphasize; to present or portray as less important or consequential.
    • He would sometimes downplay his Princeton education by saying simply that he went to school in New Jersey.

    Usage notes

    * The synonymous alternative form (play down) is slightly more formal, or slightly less informal.

    Anagrams

    *

    distain

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (rare) To stain, discolour or tarnish