1
as in to understate
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Recent Examples of underplay
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
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
See all Example Sentences for underplay 
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
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
See all Example Sentences for underplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underplay
Verb
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The importance of footwork in the post is not to be understated.—
Jim Alexander,
Orange County Register,
1 Feb. 2025
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The characteristics of this aesthetic begins with simple colors that evoke a sense of elegance that is understated—not ostentatious.—
Kristine Gill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Yet all this speaks to the risk the incoming Trump administration might overplay its hand on China.—
William Pesek,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
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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
Verb
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Recent presidents have increasingly turned to memoranda in part to downplay their exercise of substantive unilateral action usually associated with executive orders.—
Meredith Conroy,
ABC News,
6 Feb. 2025
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The move was seen as a way to downplay Trump's fears of Chinese influence on Panama Canal.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The preeminent art show Documenta, which takes place once every five years in Kassel, Germany, has enacted a new code of conduct three years after an antisemitism scandal roiled its 2022 edition.—
The Editors of ARTnews,
ARTnews.com,
6 Feb. 2025
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Yet the resistance to Trump’s first term clearly demonstrated that lying down on the tracks was not in itself a suitable plan for winning elections and enacting large-scale social and political change.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
The New Yorker,
5 Feb. 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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The research highlights the need to rethink how young students who act out are treated by educators, given the dire consequences of defaulting to traditional modes of punishment.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
31 Jan. 2025
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In that sense, Mad Bills to Pay is a classic coming-of-age story about growing up and taking on responsiblity, about committing major actions and not just acting out.—
Jordan Mintzer,
The Hollywood Reporter,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Resist the temptation to dramatize the details out of proportion and look at it in the context of the bigger picture of your life.—
Sandy Thibault,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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One of the contract stipulations required MJ, and his estate by extension, to not dramatize the Chandlers in any capacity—including a potential biopic.—
Marc Griffin,
VIBE.com,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Giving a heightened sense of drama to the occasion, the 18-year-old marked the goal by mimicking Haaland’s celebration – sitting cross-legged and closing his eyes as if meditating.—
George Ramsay,
CNN,
3 Feb. 2025
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Soaking seeds before planting them mimics the favorable growing conditions after a spring rain.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near underplay
Cite this Entry
“Underplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underplay. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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