overplay

[ oh-ver-pley ]

verb (used with object)

1. to exaggerate or overemphasize (one's role in a play, an emotion, an effect, etc.):

   The young actor overplayed Hamlet shamelessly. The director of the movie had overplayed the pathos.

2. to put too much stress on the value or importance of:

   A charitable biographer had overplayed the man's piety and benevolence.

3. Cards. to overestimate the strength of (the cards in one's hand) with consequent loss.
4. Golf. to hit (the ball) past the putting green.
5. Archaic. outplay.

verb (used without object)

1. to exaggerate one's part, an effect, etc.; overact:

   Without a firm director she invariably overplays.

overplay

/ ˌəʊvəˈpleɪ /

verb

1. tr to exaggerate the importance of
2. another word for overact
3. overplay one's hand
   to overestimate the worth or strength of one's position

Word History and Origins

Origin of overplay¹

First recorded in 1640–50; over- + play

Example Sentences

Miranda, whose organization has another survey coming out Tuesday, said that the shift among Latinos being tracked by most polls is “overplayed.”

From Salon

“I feel that the government is overplaying it,” she said.

From BBC

And if you thought the Hollywood celebrity presence was overplayed by the telecasts this time around, NBC would like you to hold its beer.

From Los Angeles Times

“The guy was convicted of 34 counts. How do you overplay that?”

From Seattle Times

If Biden overplays Trump’s status as a “felon,” it could underscore the view that he lacks any persuasive arguments for his reelection on the merits.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• exaggerate
• maximize
• overdo
• overemphasize
• overstate
• overuse