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

Their particular fantasy was for a fully monochromatic room, something understated that might look at home in a Prada store.

— Keith Flanagan, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2026
From pencil to pleated, mini to knee-length, sheer to leather, and understated to embellished — the skirt ruled the runway.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of understate

Verb

Still, privately, government officials and business leaders told Semafor that South Africa would not overplay its hand by making any attempt to withhold access to these metals; PGMs make up more than a third of its exports to the US.

— Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
The brothers pepper in POV shots of the climbers to literally put the audience in their shoes, but don’t overplay their hand, maintaining palpable reality even when the challenges mount to comical levels.

— Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of overplay

Verb

In a statement, ICE downplayed the significance of the memo, which said the new guidance was intended to replace and amend prior directives issued earlier this year, last year and in 2018.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
When asked about rampant rumors that Sarandos had been courting HBO/HBO Max content chairman Casey Bloys for a job or production deal, the exec downplayed it.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of downplay

Verb

Trump signed the bill into law last week but hasn't enacted the measures yet.

— HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
But the Musk trailer, which dropped Thursday, does not appear to fall in the category of the campaign advertising those bylaws were enacted to prevent.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of enact

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

Definition of overact

Verb

Jo, raised by her grandmother, is hyperactive, wild, free-spirited, and a talented artist but often acts out in school.

— Parents, Parents, 25 Sep. 2026
Those include the harrowing night terrors Tony begins to experience — intense, frightening nightmares that cause people with Parkinson’s to violently act out in their sleep.

— Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of act out

Verb

At any rate, Greengrass finally decided to dramatize the Peasants’ Revolt on the second day of the 2020 pandemic lockdown.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026
Nevertheless, the filmmakers have found an affecting way to dramatize the official line that Oasis are the biggest band in the world.

— Nate Jones, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of dramatize

Verb

Some really solid casting there in evoking, but not mimicking, either Faist or Abbott.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
In one interview, police brought him back to the home and filmed him recreating the scene, mimicking grabbing his gun, finding Causse, firing off the shots that killed Miller in the hallway, and then calling 9-1-1.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of mimic

Browse Nearby Words

underpins

underplay

underplayed

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“Underplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underplay. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of underplay

verb

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