UNDERPLAY Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

underplay

verb

Definition of underplay

as in to understate

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Dissimilar Words

as in to overplay

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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

Expectations for board members (time per month, additional duties, sub-committee contributions) are explicitly stated and not understated.

— Melissa A. Wheeler, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
After that feral beginning, the rest of the album is mostly contemplative, wistful, and understated, amid cascading guitars and various sounds that are at times acoustic or gently swirling.

— Steve Appleford, SPIN, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of understate

Verb

Cienfuegos’ show is exceptionally well-acted by the entire cast, this being a company that holds its fictional characters close to the heart and is determined never to overplay in this intimate venue.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026
In a corporate environment, leaders who overplay their hand can trigger resistance from peers, boards and other stakeholders.

— Erik Clarke, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of overplay

Verb

Analysts suggest this may reflect that as the Fed gradually downplays forward guidance, market sensitivity to Fed wording—as well as the Fed's overall influence over markets—could be waning.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Shifting emphasis moving into the general election A number of Republicans have removed or downplayed references to Trump from their websites after winning their primaries.

— Steve Peoples, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of downplay

Verb

Whether defendant Tyler Robinson acted out of political animus could be key for prosecutors seeking the death penalty — or for his attorneys in taking that punishment off the table.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Whether defendant Tyler Robinson acted out of political animus could be key for prosecutors seeking the death penalty - or for his attorneys in taking that punishment off the table.

— CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of act out

Verb

The Trial of Louise Woodward will dramatize the story of Woodward, an 18-year-old British au pair who in 1997 was accused of shaking to death a baby who was left in her care by her host family in Massachusetts.

— Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026
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

Definition of dramatize

Verb

At the University of Mississippi, a video went viral of a Black woman surrounded by white students and the white students mimicking ape-like motions toward the woman and making monkey-like calls.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Researchers have developed a six-legged robot that can learn to walk by mimicking a stick insect’s movement patterns.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of mimic

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underpins

underplay

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“Underplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underplay. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of underplay

verb

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