1
as in to overemphasize
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overplay
The key is to position your offer as a natural fit for their needs without overplaying your hand.
—
Alla Adam, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
But the president-elect's favors are fickle, and there are already signs that Musk may be overplaying his hand.
—Scott Rosenberg, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024
The president believed that the media, and political rivals such as Trump, were overplaying the threat.
—Joe Klein, Foreign Affairs, 13 June 2017
Hoult is the center of the film and never overplays the torment roiling inside.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overplay 
Alla Adam, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
But the president-elect's favors are fickle, and there are already signs that Musk may be overplaying his hand.
—Scott Rosenberg, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024
The president believed that the media, and political rivals such as Trump, were overplaying the threat.
—Joe Klein, Foreign Affairs, 13 June 2017
Hoult is the center of the film and never overplays the torment roiling inside.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overplay
Verb
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Likewise, critics often overemphasize the role of Aung San Suu Kyi’s personal traits while minimizing the structural and situational factors that have influenced her decisions.—
Tej Parikh,
Foreign Affairs,
19 May 2017
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Ignoring character, or believing it’s already addressed, leads to the danger of overemphasizing integrity and accountability while neglecting humanity and humility, for example.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes,
5 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Notice the costs of underplaying the conversation, which many tend to do.—
Hylke Faber,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
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Gonski said that in addition to overstating certifiers’ responsibilities, Follow the Law’s messaging underplays the protections that already exist.—
Phoebe Petrovic,
ProPublica,
30 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Don’t overdo it, but do include social proof in your social media channels, email marketing and media.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
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That film, like this one, wore its political message on its sleeve without overdoing it.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 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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Even Dancing With the Stars veteran Sean Spicer wouldn’t be able to exaggerate the size of this audience.—
Daniel Fienberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Jan. 2025
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What is the meaning behind the end of Hereditary? While Hereditary uses the horror genre to exaggerate ideas and entertain, its foundational theme is trauma, according to Aster.—
Erica Marrison,
People.com,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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At least eight states — California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia — have enacted measures banning or restricting students’ use of cellphones in schools.—
Andrew Demillo,
The Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2025
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As hinted at throughout the season, Hagan plans to enact an isolationist foreign policy from the Oval Office, meaning the price for information and intelligence will skyrocket.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
TIME,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Ranchers interviewed by the Statesman said the claims of worker advocates are overstated.—
Ian Max Stevenson,
Idaho Statesman,
17 Jan. 2025
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However, the study, led by Eyal Frank of the University of Chicago, demonstrates that these criticisms are often overstated.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Friends Dog Grooming Car Toy Now for just $7, builders can act out a dog grooming scene with this Lego Friends kit.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
People.com,
18 Jan. 2025
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Children who are anxious may act out, have temper tantrums, or change their sleeping patterns, appetites, behavior, or moods, says Dr. Kumar.—
Tamekia Reece,
Parents,
8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near overplay
Cite this Entry
“Overplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overplay. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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