overplay
verb
over·play
ˌō-vər-ˈplā 
overplayed; overplaying; overplays
1
a
: to present (a dramatic role) extravagantly : exaggerate
b
: to place too much emphasis on
2
: to rely too much on the strength of
—usually used in the phrase overplay one's hand
3
: to strike a golf ball beyond (a putting green)
: to exaggerate a part or effect
Examples of overplay in a Sentence
The network news overplayed the story just to get good ratings.
He overplayed the death scene.
Recent Examples on the Web
Not to mention Hamill, who never overplays his character’s villainy and makes his second strong impression this year in a Stephen King vehicle after The Life of Chuck.
—
Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Far too often at the back end of the season, Isak was being overplayed because there was nobody to bring off the bench to offer a genuine threat.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
While butter yellow really took off in 2024, popping up everywhere from the runways to our nails (and with everyone from Selena Gomez to Simone Ashley signing on to the shade), some have been wondering if the muted pastel color is officially overplayed.
—Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 19 Aug. 2025
Democrats believe the Trump administration has overplayed its hand with its push for mass deportation.
—Bill Barrow, Twin Cities, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for overplay
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Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Far too often at the back end of the season, Isak was being overplayed because there was nobody to bring off the bench to offer a genuine threat.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
While butter yellow really took off in 2024, popping up everywhere from the runways to our nails (and with everyone from Selena Gomez to Simone Ashley signing on to the shade), some have been wondering if the muted pastel color is officially overplayed.
—Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 19 Aug. 2025
Democrats believe the Trump administration has overplayed its hand with its push for mass deportation.
—Bill Barrow, Twin Cities, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for overplay
Cite this Entry
“Overplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overplay. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overplay
verb
over·play
ˌō-vər-ˈplā
1
: exaggerate, overemphasize
newspapers overplayed the story
2
: to rely too much on the strength of
overplayed my hand and lost
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