underplay
verb
un·der·play
ˌən-dər-ˈplā 
underplayed; underplaying; underplays
: to play a role with subdued force
1
: to act or present (a role, a scene, etc.) with restraint : play down
2
: to play a card lower than (a held high card)
Examples of underplay in a Sentence
Don't underplay the importance of exercise.
I thought she underplayed her character.
Recent Examples on the Web
China rejects this view and has blasted Taipei for underplaying the role of Chinese Communists in defeating Imperial Japan.
—
Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Wilkins really offers a masterclass in the comedic merits of just slightly underplaying to make the jokes land, writes Tribune theater critic Chris Jones.
—Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
Bader gives a sharp, subtle performance, underplaying in scenes where even an experienced actor might chomp down.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
Fraud detection systems raise alarms over rare anomalies, while chatbots sometimes give dramatic but unlikely answers—underplaying the boring, common outcomes that are far more probable.
—Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underplay
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Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Wilkins really offers a masterclass in the comedic merits of just slightly underplaying to make the jokes land, writes Tribune theater critic Chris Jones.
—Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
Bader gives a sharp, subtle performance, underplaying in scenes where even an experienced actor might chomp down.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
Fraud detection systems raise alarms over rare anomalies, while chatbots sometimes give dramatic but unlikely answers—underplaying the boring, common outcomes that are far more probable.
—Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underplay
Cite this Entry
“Underplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underplay. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underplay
verb
un·der·play
ˌən-dər-ˈplā
: to handle carefully
especially
: to play a role without much force
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