underplay

[ uhn-der-pley, uhn-der-pley ]

verb (used with object)

1. to act (a part) sketchily.
2. to act subtly and restrainedly.
3. to understate or de-emphasize; downplay:

   The ambassador underplayed his role in the peace negotiations.

verb (used without object)

1. to leave out of one's acting all subtlety and enriching detail.
2. to achieve an effect in acting with a minimum of emphasis.

underplay

/ ˌʌndəˈpleɪ /

verb

1. to play (a role) with restraint or subtlety
2. to achieve (an effect) by deliberate lack of emphasis
3. intr cards to lead or follow suit with a lower card when holding a higher one

Word History and Origins

Origin of underplay¹

First recorded in 1725–35; under- + play

Example Sentences

More disturbing is Zehme’s willingness to underplay Carson’s lifelong habit of infidelity and his catastrophic relationship with alcohol.

From Los Angeles Times

And it underplays just how big a deal this could be for the former president, long-time listeners say.

From BBC

It's a skill he underplays, even when he earnestly lobs a corny dad joke at me — "You know what zero said to eight? Nice belt."

From Salon

"One of the things I love about this country and I think we underplay it, is that we have we have always been actually one of the most open and generous countries."

From BBC

Oher said the film underplayed his intelligence to such a degree that it made his new co-workers question his capabilities.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• curtail
• decrease
• diminish
• downplay
• lessen
• play down
• reduce
• trivialize
• underestimate