to downplay
Loading your saved state.
to downplay
To deliberately present something negative, dangerous, or problematic as less serious or significant than it really is.
Der Sprecher des Unternehmens versuchte, die Umweltschäden zu verharmlosen.
The company spokesperson tried to downplay the environmental damage.
The word is derived from the adjective 'harmlos' (harmless). The prefix 'ver-' and the ending '-en' turn it into a verb meaning to present something as harmless.
Er verharmloste seine Fehler, anstatt sich zu entschuldigen.
He downplayed his mistakes instead of apologizing.
'Verharmlosen' (to downplay) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all tenses and sentence constructions.
Sie hat die Gefahr komplett verharmlost.
She completely downplayed the danger.
'Verharmlosen' (to downplay) always requires an accusative object. Often, abstract negative things are downplayed, such as a danger, a problem, risks, or the consequences of something.
Man sollte die Risiken dieser Investition auf keinen Fall verharmlosen.
One should absolutely not downplay the risks of this investment.
The word is usually used in a critical context. If you accuse someone of 'verharmlosen' (downplaying) something, you often imply a manipulative intention or a lack of realism.
Die Opposition warf der Regierung vor, die wirtschaftliche Krise zu verharmlosen.
The opposition accused the government of downplaying the economic crisis.
to underestimate
Both words fit when a real danger is taken less seriously. Someone who unterschätzt a danger internally judges it to be less dangerous, whereas with verharmlosen, someone often deliberately presents it to others as less serious. Use „unterschätzen“ for an incorrect assessment and „verharmlosen“ for a sugar-coated presentation.
Die Werbung verharmloste die Gefahr des starken Reinigungsmittels.
The advertisement downplayed the danger of the powerful cleaning agent.
Der unerfahrene Fahrer unterschätzte die Gefahr auf der glatten Straße.
The inexperienced driver underestimated the danger of the slippery road.
