Deemphasised

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Given less emphasis or importance than before, so that it draws less attention from people
2. Reduced in prominence, weight or significance, pushed into the background of attention or priority
3. Played down or made less conspicuous, so that something receives diminished focus or stress

Etymology: "Deemphasised" is the simple past and past participle of "deemphasise", the British spelling of "deemphasize". The verb is formed from the prefix "de-", meaning "reduce or remove", attached to "emphasise", which comes from the Greek "emphasis", meaning "indication" or "display". Together they describe the act of reducing the weight or importance given to something. The prefix "de-" is the more interesting part here. In Latin it could mean "down" or "away", as in "descend", but in English it became a productive way to form verbs meaning to undo, lower, or take away something, such as "decentralise" or "deregulate". "Deemphasise" follows that pattern, so it is a straightforward formation rather than a word with a dramatic history.

Synonyms: downplay, minimize, play down, underplay, de-stress

Antonyms: emphasize, stress, highlight, accentuate, spotlight