1
as in to understate
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 underplay
However, testimony also revealed text messages and emails between Gray and his supervisors that prosecutors say appeared to underplay the severity of the incident on the day of the shooting.
—
Skyler Henry, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Most importantly, the film tries to underplay the massive identity and religious politics that the Bengal border has seen since the lines were drawn.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 Nov. 2025
At one point, MacLachlan orchestrates a heart-stopping moment of reckoning for Bill and Tammy, written with a sudden, cathartic directness—a break in their usual language of deferential hesitations—which the actors underplay to perfection.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
None of this is to underplay the value of this agreement to Paramount’s streaming business.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underplay
Skyler Henry, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Most importantly, the film tries to underplay the massive identity and religious politics that the Bengal border has seen since the lines were drawn.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 Nov. 2025
At one point, MacLachlan orchestrates a heart-stopping moment of reckoning for Bill and Tammy, written with a sudden, cathartic directness—a break in their usual language of deferential hesitations—which the actors underplay to perfection.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
None of this is to underplay the value of this agreement to Paramount’s streaming business.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underplay
Verb
-
The hotel’s 88 rooms, including 25 suites created by award-winning design studio Jaime Beriestain, are understated in ivory, dove gray, and the occasional dash of teal velvet, with Egyptian cotton bed linens and goose down comforters.—
Eddi Fiegel,
Robb Report,
7 May 2026
-
The importance of wildfire preparedness cannot be understated.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
History suggests that an overconfident Tehran will overplay its hand.—
Karim Sadjadpour,
The Atlantic,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Lue has tried to stagger their minutes to not overplay them.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Many community leaders and local officials downplayed the impact of SB 79 on San Diego when it was approved last October because the city had already done significant upzoning near many of its trolley stops, especially in University City and Mission Valley.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
The AfD has become more radical since then, and some of its prominent members have openly used Nazi language and downplayed the Holocaust.—
Nick Tabor,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, however, the study documented dimming events including in Ukraine and Gaza as wars unfolded, in Venezuela as the economy collapsed, and in parts of Europe when governments enacted energy conservation mandates following the Russia-Ukraine war.—
Bree Shirvell,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
Bumpy roads could be ahead, fiscally and literally Several states have already enacted gas tax holidays to bring temporary relief to drivers, including Georgia, Indiana, and Utah, which are saving Americans 33 cents, 59 cents, and 6 cents per gallon respectively in those states.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
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
Verb
-
Created by Eugene Pack and co-created by Dayle Reyfel, Celebrity Autobiography features stars reading — and dramatically acting out — excerpts from famous memoirs, leaning into the unintentionally funny, overly revealing and often absurd moments found within their pages.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
But Rushing didn’t act out, McDonnell said.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Simple, shocking, darkly beautiful imagery and an extreme performance dramatize the psyche of a man deeply disappointed with his childhood, who seeks to recreate it by any means possible.—
William Earl,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
-
But the most spectacular works are the 10- and 11-foot lengths of parchment that dramatize the way medieval architects conceived their spiritual ladders to heaven.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One insider in particular alleged that Middleton was upset at Harry and Meghan’s attempts to mimic official royal tours, all while criticizing the institution.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
10 May 2026
-
For example, even the best physical AI still struggles to mimic the remarkable dexterity of the human hand.—
Dr. Jonathan Reichental,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underplay. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
