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

Related Words

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 However, because the artists were not of Mexican descent, Chicano music histories often overlook or underplay this era. — Oliver Wang, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for underplay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for underplay

Verb

The Grammy winner kept her look understated while letting her accessories do all the talking.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
Seydoux is movingly understated in this difficult film and role, with the camera often lingering on her face in harsh close-up.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 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

Earlier this week, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes downplayed an ESPN report that said he and coach Andy Reid last week had asked tackle Josh Simmons to leave a team meeting.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026
In June, Vice President JD Vance spoke at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in California, downplaying the scandal that ended Nixon’s presidency.

— Dustin DeSoto, Vox, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of downplay

Verb

People who had already turned 55 when the law was enacted also were given until August 2021 to file lawsuits, no matter when the alleged abuse occurred.

— John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
In the same era, Democrats in Congress enacted a raft of social programs that would become part of the language, such as Medicare and Medicaid.

— Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 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

Cooke does his best to dramatize these origins, often through dry humor, but the personalities involved don’t quite rise to the level of an Aaron Sorkin drama.

— Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
When the third act slows down to dramatize the hours of Altman’s ouster from OpenAI, Guadagnino has almost no way of generating the sort of ice-blooded intrigue that runs in Fincher’s veins.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of dramatize

Verb

Mounjaro and Zepbound, also made by Eli Lilly, mimic the effects of GLP-1 as well as GIP, a type of hormone that helps regulate blood sugar by stimulating insulin.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
Later, a young woman in a black dress, mimicking what Helena wears on screen, makes an entrance and heads straight to the front to take photos with the casket and flower arrangements that re-create the scene.

— Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of mimic

Browse Nearby Words

underpins

underplay

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Style

“Underplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underplay. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of underplay

verb

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