1
as in to overemphasize
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Recent Examples of overplay
At that point, Trump will have overplayed his hand.
—
Nicholas Mulder, Foreign Affairs, 6 Mar. 2025
Nunez capitalised on a swift counter to level before Bruno Guimaraes was guilty of overplaying in stoppage time, leading to the Uruguayan’s winner.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Trump’s lawyers may have overplayed their hand by rushing an appeal to the high court on Sunday.
—David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2025
To say that Trump is overplaying America's hand with regard to Russia is an understatement.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overplay
Nicholas Mulder, Foreign Affairs, 6 Mar. 2025
Nunez capitalised on a swift counter to level before Bruno Guimaraes was guilty of overplaying in stoppage time, leading to the Uruguayan’s winner.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Trump’s lawyers may have overplayed their hand by rushing an appeal to the high court on Sunday.
—David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2025
To say that Trump is overplaying America's hand with regard to Russia is an understatement.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overplay
Verb
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Still, whereas poverty has clearly contributed to Boko Haram’s rise, government and civil society actors should avoid overemphasizing its role.—
Michael W. Baca,
Foreign Affairs,
5 Dec. 2016
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The new council majority has argued that the prior group overemphasized bike transportation, as opposed to vehicles, and note that vehicles are the way that most people get around town.—
Barbara Henry,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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To describe the United States’ military interventions as mishandled, for example, is to criminally underplay their impact.—
Emma Ashford,
Foreign Affairs,
29 May 2020
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And David Rosenberg subtly underplays Alex, an American ex-pat who’s haunted by ghosts of his own.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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So why is overdoing alcohol consumption particularly harmful to bones?—
Holly Carter,
People.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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It’s never recommended to take mega doses of any supplement or overdo it with specific spices that aren’t necessarily associated with physical effects—and that goes for turmeric and ginger.—
Jamie Johnson,
Verywell Health,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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One could easily be accused of overacting, of doing too much.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2025
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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
Verb
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The implication is that the non-college population makes nothing, an assumption that dramatically exaggerates the college payoff.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Rhodes further retorted with a crude remark about Cena's microphone skills versus his physical attributes, and cautioned him against exaggerating his positive impact on WWE upon his departure.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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After Nixon was named a first-team All-Pro for his kick-return prowess in both 2022 and 2023, the NFL enacted a rule change that moved touchbacks from the 25-yard line to the 30 for the 2024 season.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
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But these efforts would be fruitless unless states enacted legislation exempting sports betting from their anti-gambling laws.—
Martin Edel,
Sportico.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, in a statement to NPR took issue with experts and local officials who argue the gang's presence in the U.S. is overstated.—
Martin Kaste,
NPR,
8 Apr. 2025
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The experts say that Lucas’ new guidance significantly overstates any legal risk that these practices pose for employers.—
Michelle Travis,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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His days are spent either sitting sadly on Iris’ bed with literal hangdog eyes or acting out and destroying things in her apartment.—
Lindsey Bahr,
Twin Cities,
2 Apr. 2025
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But most small children eventually outgrow the impulse to act out.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overplay. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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