1
as in to understate
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Recent Examples of underplay
Fraud detection systems raise alarms over rare anomalies, while chatbots sometimes give dramatic but unlikely answers—underplaying the boring, common outcomes that are far more probable.
—
Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 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
Whether this takes some of the power away from Trump or underplays the President’s fascist tendencies is best decided by those watching at home, according to Michaels.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underplay
Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 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
Whether this takes some of the power away from Trump or underplays the President’s fascist tendencies is best decided by those watching at home, according to Michaels.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underplay
Verb
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Every room is understated and done in grays, white marbles, and earth tones—plus splashes of blue representing Lake Michigan—and comes with one of four types of soaking tubs, all deliciously inviting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
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It cannot be understated how much impact this man had on the world, particularly those who knew him closely.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Never have more teams overplayed more hands for less return.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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To his credit, O’Brien never overplays Bradley as the monster.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This film adaptation cut out the second half of the book, downplayed the violence committed by Olivier’s character, Heathcliff, and played up the romance between Heathcliff and Oberon’s character, Cathy.—
Becky Little,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
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Fennell shows little interest in this aspect of the novel and very much downplays its impact on how Heathcliff is treated as an outsider.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Apply it retroactively That necessary restriction would apply retroactively, even if the bill is enacted later.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2026
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Crockett emphasized that people need to play their part in enacting change.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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Snook and Lacy, who display such sharp instincts in their best work, seem to have been directed to overact; cameras freeze on their exaggeratedly bewildered or angry or devastated expressions, putting exclamation points at the end of too many scenes.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The plaintiffs claim the administration is acting out of racial animus.—
Miami Herald Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
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Read on to find out why your child may be acting out, and when to seek help.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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If the stakes in Olivia Ferney‘s social media videos aren’t high enough for you, Fifth Season is set to dramatize the ultra-luxury travel concierge’s fancy — and stressful — life, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Feb. 2026
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The script stemmed from the desire to dramatize some situations and also the desire to shoot those scenes.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The red and gold stripes over the blue horizon mimics a beautiful desert sunset, with the star in the middle symbolizing copper.—
Becky Bartkowski,
AZCentral.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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The show utilizes vivid color and energetic music to encourage kids to participate in the various adventures and activities, whether that’s mimicking Danny’s dance moves, flying like an airplane, or battling the aforementioned gravity-defying goldfish.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underplay. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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