1
as in to overemphasize
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar 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
And powerful people tend to overplay their hands.
—
Brent Lang, Variety, 30 Dec. 2025
Advertisement China might overplay its hand—that remains a real danger.
—Kerry Brown, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
But Barkley suggested the players should be careful to not overplay their hand.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
While there are risks for Democrats to overplay their hand in several blue states, members of the party warn there’s risk for their GOP counterparts in red states just the same.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overplay
Brent Lang, Variety, 30 Dec. 2025
Advertisement China might overplay its hand—that remains a real danger.
—Kerry Brown, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
But Barkley suggested the players should be careful to not overplay their hand.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
While there are risks for Democrats to overplay their hand in several blue states, members of the party warn there’s risk for their GOP counterparts in red states just the same.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overplay
Verb
-
Questions at debates and forums have tended to overemphasize who’s giving what to whom over other important matters in this election.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
-
If women ski as long as the men do and don’t do it as quickly, that ratio gets out of whack and overemphasizes skiing for the women and not for the men.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Sometimes the functional sibling learns to compensate or cover for the dysfunctional one, to underplay strengths or wear a mask.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Others say such comments underplay the consequences of the oil blockade.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Fertilizing can be beneficial as well—but don't overdo it.—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
2 Apr. 2026
-
While the Elie 12 does a good job of staying in line, even at full volume, the speaker is a little too happy to overdo its low end.—
Mark Knapp,
PC Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Adrien Brody can’t stop overacting in a commercial for TurboTax.—
Dee-Ann Durbin,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
On-screen, the speech’s prestige can overwhelm its existential subject matter, and the passage tends to get overacted.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Slightly shimmering effects reflect light in a subtle way, bringing luminosity without being exaggerated; it can be glazed donut–style chrome, or for a more intense effect try a cat-eye finish.—
Andrea Carbajal,
Glamour,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Bosco’s attorneys argue Shaw was exaggerating the situation.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The $20 million construction of Independence Elementary was funded through Idaho House Bill 521, a statewide school facilities package enacted in 2024.—
Noah Daly,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Mar. 2026
-
That suspension, which was also enacted after the shooting of the National Guard soldiers in Washington, remains in place.—
Camilo Montoya-Galvez,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Young remains one of the most recognizable faces to emerge from the K-pop boom, having spent her formative years as part of Girls’ Generation – a group whose commercial footprint is difficult to overstate.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Claims that Tehran's capabilities have been obliterated are overstated.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If previous records massaged her hedonism into silky, professional-grade pop, the sound on WOR$T GIRL is all sinew and scrap metal, a leaner and meaner vehicle for acting out.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Bimbofication is the act of dressing like an attractive dumb woman and acting out the part.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overplay. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
