1.   AmEx has often the subject of takeover speculation, but traders downplayed its possibility.

2.   Analysts in London, who had downplayed the possibility of big payouts as a result of tobacco litigation, said they were stunned by the agreement.

3.   Barr downplayed the possibility that GTE would accept FCC pricing rules struck down by a federal appeals court in July.

4.   Both Mourning and Riley downplayed the possibility of a return this week, the Sun-Sentinel said.

5.   Bush downplays that possibility, but he seems quite comfortable with his new-found celebrity.

6.   Chapin downplays that possibility.

7.   Daly accused the Bush camp of downplaying the possibility of election irregularities and trying to rush the process.

8.   Downplayed the possibility that a downturn in the stock market could trigger widespread economic problems.

9.   Federal officials, who downplayed the possibility that the gunman intended to kill President Clinton, did not accuse the suspect of attempted assassination.

10.   For months, Japan has been downplaying that possibility, which is an economic situation that can lead to recession.