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

But over the last 12 months, inflation has nearly kept pace with hourly wage gains — and that understates the extent of the problem because debt service costs are not included in the consumer price index.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
Meanwhile, the official bond tally that’s hitting the market understates all the actual borrowing that’s going on to fund the AI boom.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 31 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

If enacted, legislation of this kind would fundamentally alter the business model of companies like Waymo, giving them no choice but to turn to human drivers in order to stay afloat in local markets.

— Paxton Honerkamp, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026
The leader who takes bodyful ownership of their life and enacts disciplined practices to sense its rhythms will not only enjoy greater harmony and wellbeing but bring greater coherence to their work and to their world.

— Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of enact

Verb

The film’s star, Robin Williams, can be seen acting out a scene with costar Adam Zolotin, who played young Louis.

— Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026
During one scene, Einbinder — dressed in a replica of a black dress Gyllenhaal wore in the original film — acted out an explicit orgasm as described in the script, breaking character in the middle of the scene to double over laughing.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 29 July 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

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

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underplay

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

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Synonyms of underplay

verb

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