die Verharmlosung
Translation
downplaying, trivialisation, minimisation
Examples
Die Verharmlosung der Gefahr ist ein Problem.
Downplaying the danger is a problem.
Seine Rede war eine Verharmlosung der Tatsachen.
His speech was a trivialisation of the facts.
Grammar Patterns
the Verharmlosung of ((sth.)) the downplaying of (sth.) Die Verharmlosung des Problems ist gefährlich.
a Verharmlosung of ((sth.)) a downplaying of (sth.) Das ist eine Verharmlosung von den Risiken.
Similar Words
die Bagatellisierung (trivialisation), die Beschönigung (euphemism); Antonym: die Dramatisierung (dramatisation)
Etymology
From the verb 'verharmlosen' (to downplay), which comes from 'ver-' (prefix for change) + 'harmlos' (harmless). The act of making something seem harmless.
Memory Tips
Think of making something seem 'harmlos' (harmless) when it's actually serious. The prefix 'ver-' often implies a change of state.