1
as in to understate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of underplay
Some companies overstate the benefits while underplaying the hazards.
—
Aimee Pugh Bernard, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
Notice the costs of underplaying the conversation, which many tend to do.
—Hylke Faber, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
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
In this controversial Claire Denis work, her longtime themes of desire and survival are crystallized in a dead-eyed probe into understanding our most base impulses and the tension underplaying unsteady erotic connections.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for underplay
Aimee Pugh Bernard, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
Notice the costs of underplaying the conversation, which many tend to do.
—Hylke Faber, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
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
In this controversial Claire Denis work, her longtime themes of desire and survival are crystallized in a dead-eyed probe into understanding our most base impulses and the tension underplaying unsteady erotic connections.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for underplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underplay
Verb
-
And don’t understate this: With Jimmy Butler disengaged or suspended from late December until his trade, Miami finished last in the league in free-throw attempts per 48 minutes late in close games.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
-
If anything, it's been understated in the public discussion.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
People who like to show their cards sometimes overplay them.—
Dan Alexander,
Forbes.com,
12 Apr. 2025
-
When Colorado State overplayed the interior, Maryland was able to make the Rams pay for it in high-leverage situations.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The country subsequently downplayed the initiative, but has doubled-down on domestic tech development given U.S. restrictions in the last several years.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Kennedy downplayed diagnostic shift as a minor explanation for the increase in autism cases, but researchers have found that changes in diagnosis probably explain a majority of the increase.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Republicans are hoping to raise the nation’s borrowing limit, which caps how much money the Treasury Department can owe to pay the country’s bills, by up to $5 trillion this year as part of a larger package to extend expiring tax cuts enacted through Trump’s signature 2017 tax law.—
Aris Folley,
The Hill,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The Florida Sheriff's Association announced in February that all county jails had signed agreements in compliance with a state law enacted in 2022.—
Julia Ingram,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
One could easily be accused of overacting, of doing too much.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
While in shelters, some animals may act out due to the overwhelming stress of their environment.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Two months later, Becca was the target of online gossip and started acting out and drinking as a way to cope.—
Deb Schmill,
People.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The 2013 film Gravity dramatized the hazardous potential of space debris on humans in orbit, but most of the danger is to the proliferating number of satellites.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Unlike Molly, who's politely reticent and reluctant to speak up for herself, Nikki can't resist expressing her anger and sorrow—or, more precisely, dramatizing them for whatever audience of oncologists happens to be in range.—
Dory Jackson,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
This behavior mimics their wild ancestors, who would ambush prey from above or perch in trees to avoid danger.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
-
For example, might the animals mimic the noise to ask for the object?—
Melissa Hobson,
Scientific American,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underplay. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share