overplay

[ oh-ver-pley ]

/ ˌoʊ vərˈpleɪ /

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See synonyms for: overplay / overplayed on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

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.

to put too much stress on the value or importance of: A charitable biographer had overplayed the man's piety and benevolence.

Cards. to overestimate the strength of (the cards in one's hand) with consequent loss.

Golf. to hit (the ball) past the putting green.

Archaic. outplay.

verb (used without object)

to exaggerate one's part, an effect, etc.; overact: Without a firm director she invariably overplays.

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Origin of overplay

First recorded in 1640–50; over- + play

Words nearby overplay

overpass, overpay, overpeople, overpersuade, overpitch, overplay, overplus, overpolice, overpopulate, overpopulated, overpopulation

How to use overplay in a sentence

I wasn’t quite sure what a spy ought to wear, really, whether you should underplay it or overplay it.
The Mom Who Stole the Blueprints for the Atomic Bomb (The Freakonomics Radio Book Club Ep. 11)|Sarah Lyall|September 25, 2021|Freakonomics
One of the reasons the United States ended up with this messy pullout is because the Pentagon overplayed its hand in 2009.
The Kabul evacuation illuminated a dangerous strain of thought in the military about civilian control|James Hohmann|September 1, 2021|Washington Post
Democrats can overplay their hand by stoking outrage in their supporters and end up being lambasted for being wrong or exaggerating.
Why We Are (And Should Be) Talking About Voting Rights Right Now|Sarah Frostenson (sarah.frostenson@abc.com)|April 7, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
If defenders overplay Gilgeous-Alexander in his inevitable pursuit of the rim, he is one of the league’s foremost midrange artists because of his deceleration ability.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Knows Only One Gear: Drive|Louis Zatzman|February 26, 2021|FiveThirtyEight

The coverage was pretty normal, they weren’t overplaying anybody, and with that said we were scoring some goals.
The Caps made small tweaks to their power play. They already see improvement.|Samantha Pell|February 24, 2021|Washington Post
He is counting on his opponents to overplay their hand, and a forgiving public to let him do his job as governor.
Clinton and Christie: Let The Mud-Slinging Start|Eleanor Clift|January 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Republicans here have their work cut-out, but there is always the possibility that the Democrats will overplay their hand.
Stuffy Old Men: Region, Religion, Race and Class Define and Buffet GOP|Lloyd Green|March 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Wells transformed old cheating and heart songs into soul music by resisting the overplay of emotion, writes singer Laura Cantrell.
Kitty Wells, The Girl Singer Who Became Country’s Queen|Laura Cantrell|July 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The main hope for the Have Nots is a Republican tendency to overplay their hand.
David's Book Club: The Age of Austerity|David Frum|February 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
“Obama has to be careful not to overplay this as something he did personally,” says Feehery.
The GOP's Bin Laden Jitters|Howard Kurtz|May 2, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Even with such a negligible quantity as a deserted husband, it is a mistake to overplay the part.
The Far Horizon|Lucas Malet
She was not fool enough to overplay her hand, so her greeting was still disdainful, but when he tarried she did not send him away.
The Roof Tree|Charles Neville Buck
We scold it caressingly, as one reproves the overplay of a gracious child.
From the Oak to the Olive|Julia Ward Howe
"Some day, though, he'll overplay his game," Benito prophesied.
Port O' Gold|Louis John Stellman

British Dictionary definitions for overplay

overplay

/ (ˌəʊvəˈpleɪ) /

verb

(tr) to exaggerate the importance of

another word for overact

overplay one's hand to overestimate the worth or strength of one's position

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

overplay

Origin of overplay

Words nearby overplay

Words related to overplay

How to use overplay in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for overplay