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Downplay vs Simplistic - What's the difference?

downplay | simplistic |

As a verb downplay

is to de-emphasize; to present or portray as less important or consequential.

As an adjective simplistic is

overly simple.

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

    *

    simplistic

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Overly simple.
  • In a manner that simplifies a concept or issue so that its nuance and complexity are lost or important details are overlooked.
  • (obsolete) Of or relating to s, or medicinal herbs.
    • (Wilkinson)

    Usage notes

    This is not to be conflated with “simple”. Simplistic implies simplicity that distorts the topic, whereas simple does not. The phrase “overly simplistic” is therefore a tautology.

    See also

    * simplism n. * simplistically adv. * simpleton * simplified