underplay

verb

un·​der·​play ˌən-dər-ˈplā 

underplayed; underplaying; underplays

intransitive verb

: to play a role with subdued force

transitive verb

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

Leeds’ form should not be underplayed either, with just two losses in their previous 10 league games. —Mark Carey, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026

Not to underplay the seriousness of the situation, of course, but the suspect never made it inside. —Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026

But the biggest value of all, and this is underplayed in the media, is this was a test flight. —Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2026

Friday was the first of two Fonda underplays McCartney plays this weekend, with show two coming Saturday night. —Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for underplay

• aaa
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

underplay

verb

un·​der·​play ˌən-dər-ˈplā 

: to handle carefully

especially : to play a role without much force