Excuse and Play down

Excuse

Excuse verb - To make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses.
Usage example: he's always excusing his chronic lying by claiming that everybody lies

Play down and excuse are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Play down" instead a verb "Excuse".

Nearby Words: excusing, excused, excusable

Play down

Play down verb - To express scornfully one's low opinion of.

Excuse and play down are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Excuse" instead a verb "Play down".
Cite this Source
Play down and Excuse. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/excuse/play_down
Excuse & Play down. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/excuse/play_down>.
Play down or Excuse. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/excuse/play_down.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "excuse" and "play down" have occurred on timeline