underplay
verb
un·der·play
ˌən-dər-ˈplā 
underplayed; underplaying; underplays
: to play a role with subdued force
1
: to act or present (a role, a scene, etc.) with restraint : play down
2
: to play a card lower than (a held high card)
Examples of underplay in a Sentence
Don't underplay the importance of exercise.
I thought she underplayed her character.
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Just using endorsement badges to facilitate user choice could be underplaying its value, however.
—London Business School, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
But a new analysis this week from the Associated Press concludes the report was based on old data that underplayed the extent of the military’s extremism problem.
—Will Carless, USA TODAY, 30 Nov. 2024
Borisov artfully underplays the progression: He’s taken aback by her feral resistance, amused by her spirit, then really sees her.
—Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for underplay 
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Rory Doherty, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
Just using endorsement badges to facilitate user choice could be underplaying its value, however.
—London Business School, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
But a new analysis this week from the Associated Press concludes the report was based on old data that underplayed the extent of the military’s extremism problem.
—Will Carless, USA TODAY, 30 Nov. 2024
Borisov artfully underplays the progression: He’s taken aback by her feral resistance, amused by her spirit, then really sees her.
—Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for underplay
Dictionary Entries Near underplay
Cite this Entry
“Underplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underplay. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underplay
verb
un·der·play
ˌən-dər-ˈplā
: to handle carefully
especially
: to play a role without much force
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