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

As flows migrate, the data will overstate how much families stopped receiving and understate how much simply changed rails.

— Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
The difference between annual inflation and the cumulative effect of inflation over multiple years can create a disconnect, economists say, understating inflation’s impact on consumers.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 15 July 2026

Definition of understate

Verb

In our most recent conversation, Gershman dismissed the account Sebold gave in her memoir and downplayed the parts of her testimony that were more ambiguous.

— Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 17 July 2026
But James downplayed golf as a big factor in his free agent decision.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026

Definition of downplay

Verb

Florida’s Second Chance Act was enacted after years of collaboration among physicians, families affected by sudden cardiac arrest, legislators, athletic leaders, and advocacy organizations.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 18 July 2026
New Jersey enacted its assault weapons law in 1990 following a mass shooting at a California elementary school.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 17 July 2026

Definition of enact

Verb

Because these stories have to dramatize a search for normalcy, its leads tend to be awkward in ways that strain credulity.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
The pilot will dramatize the trilogy’s opening heist at the Hotel Theresa on 125th, a thirteen-story tower with a striking white façade once known as the Waldorf of Harlem.

— Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 June 2026

Definition of dramatize

Verb

Each design was simulated spinning mid-flight and overlaid on 100 real-world backgrounds, then scored by a perceptual model built to mimic human vision, where a lower score meant better camouflage.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 July 2026
His performance has been mimicked so many times in the quarter-century since this unforgettable film was released.

— Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 17 July 2026

Definition of mimic

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underpins

underplay

underplayed

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Style

“Underplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underplay. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of underplay

verb

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