overact

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overact 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 The college student performers from the Hartt School aren’t encouraged to overact during the party scene anymore — no more drunk jokes or pratfalls. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Dec. 2024 In regard to overacting, Pacino addresses it on a case-by-case basis: Some movies call for it, like Scarface. Chris Stanton, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2024 The performances seems inspired by the over-the-top techniques of actors who tried to do too much when sound finally came to films, but were used to overacting. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 25 Sep. 2024 Their turns are driven to cartoonish overacting in great part by the words they’ve been asked to say in English and in angry tones. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Aug. 2024 Meanwhile, Greenblatt’s playfully mischievous demeanor as Tina often reads as overacting. Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2024 The welcome lack of overacting is evident throughout the show. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2024 Sukowa seems to have been encouraged to overact, perhaps overcompensating for the film’s general listlessness. Pat Padua, Washington Post, 7 June 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overact
Verb
  • Notice the costs of underplaying the conversation, which many tend to do.
    Hylke Faber, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Gonski said that in addition to overstating certifiers’ responsibilities, Follow the Law’s messaging underplays the protections that already exist.
    Phoebe Petrovic, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Yet all this speaks to the risk the incoming Trump administration might overplay its hand on China.
    William Pesek, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Sidenote: Some of us will overplay conversations, maybe because of our attachment to control and drama.
    Hylke Faber, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Some states are already making moves President Biden’s administration largely blocked states from enacting work rules of their own and required 10 states to remove the requirement for Medicaid coverage.
    Amanda Seitz, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2025
  • The Ivanhoe grant marked only the latest fallout in the Kansas City metro from the wave of spending cuts and reductions enacted since President Donald Trump took office.
    Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The research highlights the need to rethink how young students who act out are treated by educators, given the dire consequences of defaulting to traditional modes of punishment.
    Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 31 Jan. 2025
  • In that sense, Mad Bills to Pay is a classic coming-of-age story about growing up and taking on responsiblity, about committing major actions and not just acting out.
    Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • For example, a light lavender lining peeks out from underneath the tool of the Rapunzel dress, which can be paired with a long, dramatic boa to imitate her lustrous mane.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Between the lines: The BRT experience aims to imitate the experience of a subway or train.
    Andrew King, Axios, 10 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Today, Margaret would be playacting her own massacre in active shooter drills at school.
    Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 1 May 2023
  • Trump’s modus, as ever, was to playact; his game has always been improv.
    Joe Klein, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2023
Verb
  • Resist the temptation to dramatize the details out of proportion and look at it in the context of the bigger picture of your life.
    Sandy Thibault, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • The developments have drawn stark opposition from local residents and conservation groups, who conducted a media tour two weeks ago to dramatize the potential danger.
    Natalia Jaramillo, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The edges of the cutout were left raw, mimicking the idea that the jacket had been unintentionally cut as opposed to being designed that way.
    Mikelle Street, WWD, 14 Feb. 2025
  • At the entrance to the gallery is a two-digital panel work modeled after Christie’s screens that appear at auction; on the screens play live valuations of various commodities with the design language and text mimicking that of the auction house.
    Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 10 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near overact

Cite this Entry

“Overact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overact. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

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