underplay

verb

un·​der·​play ˌən-dər-ˈplā 

underplayed; underplaying; underplays

intransitive verb

: to play a role with subdued force

transitive verb

1

: to act or present (a role, a scene, etc.) with restraint : play down

2

: to play a card lower than (a held high card)

Examples of underplay in a Sentence

Don't underplay the importance of exercise.

I thought she underplayed her character.

Recent Examples on the Web

The scale of the exposure is easy to underplay. — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026

But the biggest value of all, and this is underplayed in the media, is this was a test flight. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2026

Guijarro is underplaying her role in that final. — Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 21 May 2026

Not to underplay the seriousness of the situation, of course, but the suspect never made it inside. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for underplay

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

underplay

verb

un·​der·​play ˌən-dər-ˈplā 

: to handle carefully

especially : to play a role without much force