⬇️ Making less important 🎚️ Reducing signal noise

de-emphasis

5.3

Reducing the importance of something in a policy or practice

noun
/diːˈɛm.fə.sɪs/

: desenfoque

There was a noticeable de-emphasis on math in the new curriculum.

Examples

The de-emphasis on grades has been criticized by some parents.
The new policy led to a de-emphasis on standardized testing in schools.
There has been a de-emphasis on traditional grammar in modern teaching.
Some critics argue that the de-emphasis of arts education is a mistake.
The new policy led to a de-emphasis on standardized testing in schools.
There has been a de-emphasis on traditional grammar in modern teaching.
There was a noticeable de-emphasis on math in the new curriculum.

Synonyms

diminution

vsde-emphasis

5 7.9

A decrease in size, amount, or importance

focuses on lowering importance or prominence rather than physical size

trivialization

vsde-emphasis

1 7.1

Making something seem less important or serious than it is

reduces a thing's importance or prominence without implying dismissal

underemphasis

vsde-emphasis

7.4

Not giving enough attention or importance to something

lowers importance intentionally rather than by neglect

Antonyms

emphasis

296 3.1

Attention that makes something stand out

How Emphasized

emphasis

296 3.1

de-emphasis

5.3

neglect

100 3.5

Surface Forms

de-emphasis singular

de-emphases plural

Morphology

de-emphasis = emphasis (transparent) = de + emphasis

This is a straightforward prefixation from 'emphasis' meaning the reduction or removal of emphasis.

Etymology

De-emphasis comes from the prefix de- meaning 'remove' or 'reduce' and emphasis meaning 'importance' or 'stress', so it is the act of making something less important. That's why a de-emphasis in teaching or policy means taking the spotlight off a topic.