talk down

verb

Definition of talk downnext
as in to dismiss
to express scornfully one's low opinion of a company that prefers to talk up its own products rather than talk down those of its competitors

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of talk down No, that is not Wellens’ brutal honesty coming to the fore by talking down City with potentially inflammatory comments ahead of the big tie… that’s his wife Nicola, who will also be there on Saturday. — Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025 Unfortunately, Burleson was talking down to his audience, some who might dare to disagree with him. — Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2025 Know yourself, trust yourself: Medical self-advocacy Reflecting on several medical procedures, Shields shares the times doctors have diminished her pain or talked down to her. — Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025 He was talked down in most of the cases by cabinet secretaries and lawyers — until the advent of the coronavirus. — Zolan Kanno-Youngs, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for talk down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for talk down
  1. dismiss
  2. minimize
  3. diminish
  4. run down
  5. play down
Verb
  • Some loved the medical thriller aspects and quick pacing, while others dismissed it as shallow and improbable.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 14 Mar. 2025
  • In January 2025, a federal judge dismissed the case in its entirety and the family is now appealing the decision.
    — Iris Carreras, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of dismiss
Verb
  • Regular use helps to minimize the appearance of pores, reduce dryness, and create a smoother, more polished look.3 8.
    — Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Such programs help ensure that employees behave ethically and minimize disruptions to business operations—an attractive feature for building and maintaining intercompany relationships.
    — Robert Anello, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of minimize
Verb
  • The intense criticism of the COVID response has left a lingering public distrust in health and diminished their influence.
    — Tina Reed, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The seeming smallness of the story does nothing to diminish the film’s bleakness nor blunt its ultimately devastating impact.
    — Emma Specter, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of diminish
Verb
  • The mountains rose steeply on each side at this point, and the brook that ran down the valley was swift and noisy, swollen by rain.
    — Horace R. Hinkley, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The queen consort wore an emerald green dress with contrasting fabric on the rounded collar of the garment and running down the sleeves.
    — Julia Teti, WWD, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of run down
Verb
  • Even as stocks have plunged, Trump and his administration have played down the decline.
    — Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Though some are talking up the match at the Metropolitano - Flick’s first match there as Barca boss - as a potential title race decider, Flick played down its importance.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of play down

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Cite this Entry

“Talk down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talk%20down. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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