underplayed 1 of 2

adjective

as in unaffected

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underplayed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of underplay
1
as in understated

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2
as in overplayed

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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 underplayed
Adjective
Also while some moments are over-the-top, others are underplayed and downbeat. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026 Even the goal of the Michelin star was kind of underplayed in the end — what seemed like the goalpost became a spiritual McGuffin. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underplayed
  1. unaffected
  2. understated
  3. enacted
  4. subdued
  5. downplayed
  6. acted out
  7. restrained
Adjective
  • But millions of pounds unrefrigerated food, mostly meat and seafood, remain in the western freezer, which was unaffected by the blaze.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Owners who generated their seed with at least 50 private dice rolls, or who used a strong passphrase, were unaffected.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of unaffected
Verb
  • Another brand, Gestuz, demonstrated that tonal looks don't have to be exclusively minimalist or understated.
    — Miriam Nehring, Glamour, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The organization believes traditional retail measurements have substantially understated the size of the American market.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of understated
Verb
  • Governing parties said the deadline to enroll was enacted to curb the increasing length of time taken to reach a final result after election day.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez proposed a federal moratorium on new data centers in March, and the pragmatic governor Kathy Hochul enacted the first statewide one in New York in July.
    — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of enacted
Adjective
  • However, daylight will feel very subdued with a noticeable dimming.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The second slide shows daughter Taylor, 15, and son Brayden, 10, smiling in front of a subdued sunset.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of subdued
Verb
  • But the department downplayed critics' concerns about adverse effects.
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Reports of their interest in Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa have been downplayed.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of downplayed
Verb
  • 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
  • In the video, Allie dramatically acted out both sides of the conversation, capturing the feeling of trying to extract a straightforward answer from her mom.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Definition of acted out
Adjective
  • Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve give superbly restrained performances as a married couple who have immigrated from Romania to a small seaside town in Norway with their four children.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The Sydney penthouse, measuring in at just under 9,700 square feet, takes a restrained approach while still feeling sumptuous, thanks to interiors that pair custom pieces with luxe materials.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of restrained

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Cite this Entry

“Underplayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underplayed. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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