overplay

verb

over·​play ˌō-vər-ˈplā How to pronounce overplay (audio)
overplayed; overplaying; overplays

transitive verb

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)

intransitive verb

: 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
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.
Hoult is the center of the film and never overplays the torment roiling inside. Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024 Doherty could have overplayed the sting of that line by arching an eyebrow or twisting her mouth into a little smirk. Jen Chaney, Vulture, 16 July 2024 Sociologist Barry Glassner, author of The Culture of Fear, highlights that societies frequently overplay dangers and underplay resilience, especially in the media. Margie Warrell, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 One risk: that the BOJ overplaying its hand on rate cuts might tip an underperforming economy into recession. William Pesek, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overplay 

Word History

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of overplay was in 1767

Dictionary Entries Near overplay

Cite this Entry

“Overplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overplay. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

overplay

verb
over·​play ˌō-vər-ˈplā How to pronounce overplay (audio)
1
: exaggerate, overemphasize
newspapers overplayed the story
2
: to rely too much on the strength of
overplayed my hand and lost

More from Merriam-Webster on overplay

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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