OVERPLAY Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

overplay

verb

Definition of overplay

as in to overemphasize

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Dissimilar Words

as in to underplay

Related Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of overplay Asked about the risk of overplaying one of the NHL’s marquee blueliners, Wild coach John Hynes said there is little concern about Hughes’ workload. — Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026 Best of all, the Tony nominee smartly resists overplaying the joke, grounding the part enough that Brad's unraveling becomes funnier. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026 Lue has tried to stagger their minutes to not overplay them. — Janis Carr, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026 Advertisement China might overplay its hand—that remains a real danger. — Kerry Brown, Time, 31 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overplay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overplay

Verb

Cole did worry that curators might overemphasize the diagnosis, that King would no longer be an artist but an autistic artist, and therefore a symbol of something—resilience, perhaps, or liberation through creativity.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Get and Accept Support The benefits of support from not only your medical team but also loved ones during your cancer journey cannot be overemphasized.

— Joy Emeh, HEALTH, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of overemphasize

Verb

On the other hand, its artistic approach and wider story arc underplay the horror of WW1 combat.

— Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
In a lot of ways, Abrams’ underplay show at the storied club, billed as a free evening with the star, was more than just a celebration of her new album Daughter From Hell or practice for her upcoming tour.

— Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026

Definition of underplay

Verb

That secret shakes Charlie’s love for his intended, messes with work, affects his performance in bed and prompts him to spiral out, overacting at every step.

— Mark Kennedy, Boston Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
Adrien Brody can’t stop overacting in a commercial for TurboTax.

— Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026

Definition of overact

Verb

Although drawing a straight line from the uprising to election results would overstate the evidence, in 2017, Vi Lyles became Charlotte’s first Black woman mayor and voters elected five new City Council members — all younger than 40.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026
There is no reason to overstate the significance of the ratings decline.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of overstate

Verb

The better to act out empire’s idea of what disgusting demonic sickness looks like.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Another chapter digs into Ronson’s rocky friendship with the comedy writer Graham Linehan, whose involvement in the gender-critical movement led him to act out online in ways that Ronson reads as self-destructive.

— Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026