1
as in to understate
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Recent Examples of underplay
Borisov artfully underplays the progression: He’s taken aback by her feral resistance, amused by her spirit, then really sees her.
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Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2024
The commission notes the abject shortcomings of anti-money-laundering measures but badly underplay the enduring capacities of wealthy trafficking organizations to defy counternarcotics efforts.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021
The contributors underplay the overwhelming pressures of population growth and rapid urbanization in some parts of Latin America, as well as the growing aspirations of middle classes that current growth rates will not soon satisfy.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2020
This double character of Arte Povera—artistic innovation intertwined with political critique—is visible in the artworks, even if the curators underplay it.
—Wilson Tarbox, ARTnews.com, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for underplay 
Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2024
The commission notes the abject shortcomings of anti-money-laundering measures but badly underplay the enduring capacities of wealthy trafficking organizations to defy counternarcotics efforts.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021
The contributors underplay the overwhelming pressures of population growth and rapid urbanization in some parts of Latin America, as well as the growing aspirations of middle classes that current growth rates will not soon satisfy.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2020
This double character of Arte Povera—artistic innovation intertwined with political critique—is visible in the artworks, even if the curators underplay it.
—Wilson Tarbox, ARTnews.com, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for underplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underplay
Verb
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The veil added this really perfect, almost invisible volume around my head that was overstated while also being understated.Shelby Wax, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025
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My doctor, however, didn't understate the situation.Eldiara Doucette, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Sidenote: Some of us will overplay conversations, maybe because of our attachment to control and drama.Hylke Faber, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
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Demko overplayed it and lost his net, but Juulsen collapsed down low to break up Rantanen’s play and save a potential goal.Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Insiders have been downplaying the likelihood of Newcastle being busy on the incoming front for months and the window has matched those expectations.Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
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Others have downplayed the effects the recent wildfires could have on insurers’ presence in the state.Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Suppose the United States eliminates methane rules and/or enacts tariffs.Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
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People who want to see tangible change within their own communities should encourage their state lawmakers to enact similar programs – which are already in various stages of development in New York, Oregon, Maryland, Vermont, and Pennsylvania—and vote for local candidates who are pro-climate.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 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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Signing free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman would change the narrative, but require them to act out of character and block a younger player, Jace Jung.Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
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Those concerns faded upon watching the murderer act out in court.Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Based on Elijah Wald’s 2015 best-seller Dylan Goes Electric!, the film dramatizes the earliest — and, yes, sexiest — years of the Dylan phenomenon.Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
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Starring Kaya Scodelario and Gabriel Leone, the series will dramatize the high-octane exploits of the iconic Brazilian, who tragically died whilst racing in 1994.Max Goldbart, Deadline, 25 Nov. 2024
Verb
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But mimicking this behavior and expecting similar results could set young adults up for disappointment or disordered eating habits.Rachel Hale, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
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There are tons of these apps out there mimicking popular apps like PayPal and Spotify.Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 9 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near underplay
Cite this Entry
“Underplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underplay. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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