Which one-word substitute best matches the phrase "represent something as being less important than it really is"?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your ability to choose a precise verb that captures a subtle attitude: treating something as less important or serious than it truly is. Such a verb is common in discussions of politics, news, and interpersonal communication, where one person might minimise a problem or achievement. You must pick the word that directly expresses this act of downplaying significance.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The phrase to be replaced is represent something as being less important than it really is.
• Discriminant is a mathematical or technical term, not a common verb of attitude.
• Stride is usually a noun or verb related to walking with long steps or making progress.
• Underplay means to make something seem less important or serious than it in fact is.
• Imperious is an adjective meaning domineering or arrogantly authoritative.

Concept / Approach:
The key idea is minimising or downplaying. Underplay is a standard verb used precisely in this sense. For example, a minister might underplay the risks of a new policy, or a player might underplay their own role in a victory. It is often paired with downplay, another common verb with the same meaning. None of the other options fits this semantic field or part of speech: discriminant and imperious are not verbs of representation, and stride relates to physical movement or progress rather than evaluation of importance.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the core meaning: showing or presenting something as less important than reality.Step 2: Recall that underplay and downplay are verbs used exactly for this type of misrepresentation or minimisation.Step 3: Match the phrase with underplay in a sample sentence: The report underplays the severity of the problem, which fits perfectly.Step 4: Examine discriminant; it is mainly used in mathematics (for example, the discriminant of a quadratic equation) and does not function as a verb here.Step 5: Examine stride and imperious; stride is about walking or making progress, and imperious is an adjective describing a person manner. Neither can replace a verb that means to represent something as less important. Therefore, underplay is the correct choice.

Verification / Alternative check:
Think of typical newspaper lines: Officials underplayed the impact of the storm, or The coach underplayed his team chances. In each case, the writer means that officials or the coach made the issue seem smaller or less serious than it actually was. In contrast, using discriminant or stride in these sentences would sound absurd: Officials discriminanted the impact or Officials strode the impact are not meaningful. Imperious would be used to describe a person, as in an imperious tone of voice, not an action of minimising importance.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Discriminant is entirely out of place because it is a technical noun, not a verb, and it does not carry any meaning of minimising seriousness. Stride, as a noun or verb, is about walking or progress and has no semantic overlap with downplaying importance. Imperious is an adjective describing someone high handed or commanding; it cannot function as a one word substitute for this particular phrase and does not refer to representing things as less important.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may be distracted by discriminant because of its formal sound or by imperious because it is a sophisticated adjective. However, the question clearly demands a verb of representation, not a technical noun or an adjective describing personality. A reliable strategy is to quickly identify the expected part of speech from the phrase and eliminate options that do not match it.

Final Answer:
The best one word substitute is underplay, making option C correct.