1
as in understating
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2
as in overplaying
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underplaying
Verb
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Yes, Reid is understating his profound influence over it all, whether that’s directly through frequent conversations with Veach or via what’s simply understood between them by now.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026 -
Of course, many bank CEOs, analysts and investors disagree, saying private equity firms are understating the potential risks and exposure.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Some in Israel accuse United Nations observers and human rights groups of downplaying the issue.—
Matt Bradley,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
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As Starlink gains traction as a potential disruptor to traditional ISPs, Verizon’s CEO is downplaying the threat, predicting that satellite rivals SpaceX and Amazon will remain niche internet providers in the US.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The change was prompted by the Porter County Commissioners on April 1 enacting a new standard operating procedure for its Porter County E-911 system.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
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The state passed a law last year preempting local governments from enacting or enforcing rules against presidential libraries.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Additionally, those early on in their criminal career often try on their criminal identity by mimicking others’ crimes.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2026
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The new framework addresses that issue by mimicking how the human brain predicts sensory feedback.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 May 2026
Verb
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This natural state of paralysis prevents the body from physically acting out dreams, which could otherwise lead to injury, Drerup explained.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
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Rather than acting out on the anger, take a calming moment with some deep breaths, and think about the possibility that your partner was possibly distracted or stressed out.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Life is officially imitating art for Dani Rojas from Ted Lasso.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
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The contest aims to challenge negative stereotypes of seagulls, which are often seen as a nuisance, by imitating them, per local network WTV.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Many prospective buyers are now wary of taking on a mortgage.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
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At the time, reports of harpy eagles taking on large primates were proliferating, but there were no formal observations of it occurring naturally in situ.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
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There’s a word for this type of storytelling, and Taccone deserves credit for delivering a superior version of this without outright aping its most famous practitioner.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
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But the series’ genre switch is just a theatrical exercise, like Euphoria is putting on another play, this one against a Harmony Korine– and Quentin Tarantino–aping backdrop.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Underplaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underplaying. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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