overplay
verb
over·play
ˌō-vər-ˈplā 
overplayed; overplaying; overplays
1
a
: to present (a dramatic role) extravagantly : exaggerate
b
: to place too much emphasis on
2
: to rely too much on the strength of
—usually used in the phrase overplay one's hand
3
: to strike a golf ball beyond (a putting green)
: to exaggerate a part or effect
Examples of overplay in a Sentence
The network news overplayed the story just to get good ratings.
He overplayed the death scene.
Recent Examples on the Web
Marlon takes on the guise of a thug named Roach and of course overplays the role.
—
Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025
Having a semblance of moderated AI regulations and laws that are flexible and not crushing is potentially worth considering, but the inherent nature of any such encumbrances is that they will be overplayed and shut down AI innovation.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
Fortunately this is a terrific cast that also avoids overplaying the melodramatic undertones here, keeping it believably human all the way.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025
Often the most formidable issue is the tendency overplay a ‘bot’s developing humanness.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overplay
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025
Having a semblance of moderated AI regulations and laws that are flexible and not crushing is potentially worth considering, but the inherent nature of any such encumbrances is that they will be overplayed and shut down AI innovation.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
Fortunately this is a terrific cast that also avoids overplaying the melodramatic undertones here, keeping it believably human all the way.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025
Often the most formidable issue is the tendency overplay a ‘bot’s developing humanness.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overplay
Cite this Entry
“Overplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overplay. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overplay
verb
over·play
ˌō-vər-ˈplā
1
: exaggerate, overemphasize
newspapers overplayed the story
2
: to rely too much on the strength of
overplayed my hand and lost
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share