overplaying

verb

present participle of overplay
1
as in overemphasizing

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2
as in underplaying

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overplaying
  1. overemphasizing
  2. enacting
  3. overdoing
  4. acting out
  5. exaggerating
  6. mimicking
  7. overstating
  8. imitating
Verb
  • But whereas weaker seasons have relied on this feeding loop to the point of exhaustion, overemphasizing one side or the other, this time, new challenges keep emerging, giving personality quirks new angles through which to be reflected.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Paternalistic tactics, such as overemphasizing IUDs and implants, undermined young people’s reproductive health preferences and goals.
    — Riley J. Steiner, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
Definition of overemphasizing
Verb
  • With some destinations enacting limits on cruises, including restrictions on the size of ships or number of guests that can visit, small ships – which can have as few as a couple hundred passengers – may be able to go where bigger vessels can’t.
    — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Last year, the state acted boldly by enacting Senate Bill 72, a law that establishes a statewide target of nine million acre-feet of additional water supply by 2040.
    — Valerie Pryor, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of enacting
Verb
  • From two-tone cardigans for dinner and straw hats for family beach days to her signature breezy button-downs, Markle’s getaway style is a master class in looking polished without overdoing it.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Edibles are frequently absorbed unevenly and impatience is one of the most common reasons first-timers end up overdoing it.
    — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of overdoing
Verb
  • Garcia lends the whole song theater-kid interpretation, essentially acting out the lyrics in pantomime, grasping out in front of her, clutching her face.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026
  • When the child started acting out at home, his family reportedly started asking questions of the boy and made a report to law enforcement.
    — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of acting out
Verb
  • The financial affiliations have prompted speculation, especially through strands of the Iranian diaspora, who accuse some of its journalists of exaggerating the level of support for figures in the opposition and of advocating for war.
    — Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Thomas cautioned against exaggerating the power of AI agents, however.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of exaggerating
Verb
  • Punk exploded in front of a handful of scared-to-death dirtsheet reporters who were out of their league, mimicking a helpless Tony Khan.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Anchoring the third floor is the primary suite, which includes a generous bedroom, a sleek, modern bathroom, and a dressing room where the ceiling is inset with a panel mimicking the night sky.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of mimicking
Verb
  • Instead of overstating products, some organizations are using AI to explain internal decisions, like workforce reductions, budget cuts, restructuring and efficiency initiatives.
    — Raoul Davis, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Some political analysts have warned against overstating an ideological divide between Wiener and Chan.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of overstating
Verb
  • In the limited series, the cast attends a fan convention where they get caught up in a dangerous life-imitating-art situation — a premise drawing comparisons to the beloved sci-fi comedy Galaxy Quest.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Krasner warned potential copycats who were thinking of imitating Hughes' behavior.
    — Kelsie Cairns , Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of imitating
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Overplaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overplaying. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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