overplay
Americanverb (used with object)
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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.
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to put too much stress on the value or importance of.
A charitable biographer had overplayed the man's piety and benevolence.
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Cards. to overestimate the strength of (the cards in one's hand) with consequent loss.
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Golf. to hit (the ball) past the putting green.
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Archaic. outplay.
verb (used without object)
verb
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(tr) to exaggerate the importance of
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another word for overact
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to overestimate the worth or strength of one's position
Etymology
Origin of overplay
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Wuttke expects Beijing to be a "subtle negotiator" and "cautious not to overplay their cards."
From Barron's • May 8, 2026
It's hard to overplay what a huge blow it would be to Australia if Pat Cummins misses some or all of the Ashes, similar to England being without Ben Stokes.
From BBC • Oct. 8, 2025
But it’s easy to overestimate and overstate the extent of their leverage, and it’s a hand they can overplay.
From Slate • Feb. 13, 2025
“That’s the thing that’s so great about Guy is he doesn’t overplay those beats,” says Corbet.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2024
Aubrey was eager enough to accept, but feared to overplay his hand.
From The Haunted Bookshop by Morley, Christopher
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
