1
as in to overemphasize
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Recent Examples of overplay
But, while never overplaying it, Simkins uses dry wit to gently undercut his character’s routine pronouncements.
—
David Benedict, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
While Mikell Sapp overplays Blue’s wild-eyed torment a bit too much, he’s leavened admirably by Lester Purry’s peacemaking pianist, Corn.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 14 Feb. 2025
Yet all this speaks to the risk the incoming Trump administration might overplay its hand on China.
—William Pesek, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Sidenote: Some of us will overplay conversations, maybe because of our attachment to control and drama.
—Hylke Faber, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overplay
David Benedict, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
While Mikell Sapp overplays Blue’s wild-eyed torment a bit too much, he’s leavened admirably by Lester Purry’s peacemaking pianist, Corn.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 14 Feb. 2025
Yet all this speaks to the risk the incoming Trump administration might overplay its hand on China.
—William Pesek, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Sidenote: Some of us will overplay conversations, maybe because of our attachment to control and drama.
—Hylke Faber, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overplay
Verb
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The new council majority has argued that the prior group overemphasized bike transportation, as opposed to vehicles, and note that vehicles are the way that most people get around town.—
Barbara Henry,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
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That Huo doesn’t overemphasize the signifiers of change is an admirable kind of restraint.—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Some companies overstate the benefits while underplaying the hazards.—
Aimee Pugh Bernard,
The Conversation,
28 Jan. 2025
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Notice the costs of underplaying the conversation, which many tend to do.—
Hylke Faber,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Virgin doesn’t do buffets, and all restaurants (which are included in the fare) offered alcohol pairings with low-ABV or non-alcoholic options, giving me a way to enjoy the flavors without overdoing it.—
Josh Rivera,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
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Disinfect only when necessary Don’t overdo it with bleach and other strong disinfectants.—
Matt Fuchs,
TIME,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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There are few instances of someone overacting more in a movie, unnecessarily adding an undercurrent of murderous, jokey psychotic to an already bizarre creation.—
Mark Kennedy,
Boston Herald,
13 Dec. 2024
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The college student performers from the Hartt School aren’t encouraged to overact during the party scene anymore — no more drunk jokes or pratfalls.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Distorted and exaggerated by Weegee’s hand—with grins set in a chilling rictus, or eyes and noses spread wide and pancaked—these idols became monsters.—
Naomi Fry,
The New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2025
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Moral panics are created when politicians exaggerate a public concern to manipulate real fears people may have.—
Brittany Friedman,
The Conversation,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Ivanhoe grant marked only the latest fallout in the Kansas City metro from the wave of spending cuts and reductions enacted since President Donald Trump took office.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
18 Feb. 2025
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Some states are already making moves President Biden’s administration largely blocked states from enacting work rules of their own and required 10 states to remove the requirement for Medicaid coverage.—
Amanda Seitz,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In some cases, the amount of money the group has claimed to cut has been overstated.—
Hurubie Meko,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2025
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According to the company, the impact of federal layoffs on the city's market could easily be overstated: government employees represent only about 9 percent of the D.C. regional workforce.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Gracie using Benjamin Bratt to act out self-defense moves on national TV?—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2025
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Being a chameleon as a musician is one thing — Cyrus always had a great voice — but her ongoing identity crisis and need to act out came to define what was otherwise a productive and interesting time.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overplay. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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