minimize vs downplay

minimize and downplay both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
minimize	No	No	Yes	No
downplay	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, minimize and downplay are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of minimize include minimise, understate.

minimize (verb)	downplay (verb)
make small or insignificant	understate the importance or quality of
cause to seem less serious; play down	represent as less significant or important
represent as less significant or important