overplay
verb
over·play
ˌō-vər-ˈplā 
overplayed; overplaying; overplays
1
a
: to present (a dramatic role) extravagantly : exaggerate
b
: to place too much emphasis on
2
: to rely too much on the strength of
—usually used in the phrase overplay one's hand
3
: to strike a golf ball beyond (a putting green)
: to exaggerate a part or effect
Examples of overplay in a Sentence
The network news overplayed the story just to get good ratings.
He overplayed the death scene.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hoult is the center of the film and never overplays the torment roiling inside.
—
Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024
Doherty could have overplayed the sting of that line by arching an eyebrow or twisting her mouth into a little smirk.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 16 July 2024
Sociologist Barry Glassner, author of The Culture of Fear, highlights that societies frequently overplay dangers and underplay resilience, especially in the media.
—Margie Warrell, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
One risk: that the BOJ overplaying its hand on rate cuts might tip an underperforming economy into recession.
—William Pesek, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overplay 
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Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024
Doherty could have overplayed the sting of that line by arching an eyebrow or twisting her mouth into a little smirk.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 16 July 2024
Sociologist Barry Glassner, author of The Culture of Fear, highlights that societies frequently overplay dangers and underplay resilience, especially in the media.
—Margie Warrell, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
One risk: that the BOJ overplaying its hand on rate cuts might tip an underperforming economy into recession.
—William Pesek, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overplay
Dictionary Entries Near overplay
Cite this Entry
“Overplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overplay. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overplay
verb
over·play
ˌō-vər-ˈplā
1
: exaggerate, overemphasize
newspapers overplayed the story
2
: to rely too much on the strength of
overplayed my hand and lost
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