UNDERPLAY Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

underplay

verb

Definition of underplay

as in to understate

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

as in to overplay

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 underplay 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 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 Though Shakespeare in Love won best picture, Spielberg’s film led a worldwide wave of remembrance for WWII veterans, as well as conversations about previous films underplaying the trauma of combat. — Jordan Hoffman, Vanity Fair, 16 Mar. 2026 Cast against type, Stamos has fun slyly underplaying a thoroughly depraved character. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for underplay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for underplay

Verb

One imagines someone who wants to feel—and appear—contemporary and stylish; the other imagines someone who wants to seem effortless and understated.

— Madelyn Johnson, Literary Hub, 24 July 2026
Rodríguez has rejected suggestions that authorities understated the disaster, saying the government releases only casualty figures that have been fully verified and would not speculate about the final toll.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026

Definition of understate

Verb

As the Skubal trade rumors continue to swirl, expect the Dodgers to be right in the thick of it — even if Friedman downplayed any needs on his roster.

— Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 31 July 2026
But the Dodgers have downplayed the severity of that ailment and are under the impression that throwing doesn’t hurt it.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of downplay

Verb

Abarca claimed that White was acting out an ongoing vendetta against him.

— Ilana Arougheti July 21, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026
And the trailer shows how idyllic the four victims’ college experience was until Bryan Kohberger (who has pled guilty to the murders) seemingly picked them at random to act out his serial-killer obsession.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 July 2026

Definition of act out

Verb

Two teenagers, aided by an arborist, climbed a 100-foot pine tree outside a Pasadena high school Saturday to dramatize a campaign to stop a soil remediation project calling for the removal of nearly 200 trees at several school campuses.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
The pilot will dramatize the trilogy’s opening heist at the Hotel Theresa on 125th, a thirteen-story tower with a striking white façade once known as the Waldorf of Harlem.

— Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 June 2026

Definition of dramatize

Verb

Child and teen safety risk arises when companion chatbots mimic human emotions and intentions.

— Muhamad Aly Rifai, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Tahiliani staged a brief presentation with models in his latest designs — the most standout being a series of gowns with foam corsets that mimicked the human torso, draped with fabrics in the same color.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

Definition of mimic

Browse Nearby Words

underpins

underplay

underplayed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Underplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underplay. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of underplay

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

spindrift

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes