To downplay something is to make it seem less important or serious. Sometimes people downplay the importance of safety in order to make a decision.
The company downplayed the importance of the safety precaution and carried on with the experiment.
The teacher downplayed the importance of the test and gave the students a low score.
verb
understate the importance or quality of
Synonyms:
verb
represent as less significant or important
Synonyms:
1
The people downplayed on the piece of art.
2
I'm not trying to downplay the importance of the Wcc.
3
That's not to downplay the one sidedness of the findings of fact.
4
They merely downplay the disadvantages of the current name.
5
Also, the article seems to downplay the success of the Lrt.
6
As the series goes on, his chauvinistic attitude is downplayed.
7
I want Korea to downplay the negative and accentuate the positive.
8
Second other parts of the article downplay problems in the JW's.
9
Shell is said to have downplayed the severity of the oil spill.
10
I don't wish to downplay the bravery and commitment of the Poles.