to overplay

Examples

• All

• You don't want to overplay your role too much; remember the best-loved villains show a little good sometimes.

  Blog text (24)

• OK, maybe he is overplaying this straight role.

  Jubilee

• "Well, McCarthy overplayed his hand so much that he got absolutely nowhere," Taylor remembered.

  Academic text (1993)

• In this case, they absolutely contributed to exacerbating the situation and overplayed their hand and lost.

  Blog text (22)

• I, for one, feel he has overplayed that role and stepped out of bounds.

  Blog text (32)

• I do have a problem with Rivers overplaying the stars way too much during the first half of the year, which has rendered injuries to run amok on the team.

  Blog text (30)

• Lloyd says Margo compensates for underplaying on stage by overplaying reality.

  All About Eve (1950)

• Her face turned white, and it occurred to Step that perhaps he had overplayed this moment—it wouldn't be very good for anybody if the woman fainted right now.

  Fiction book (1992)

• In her latest play, the actress tends to overplay her emotional scenes, making them feel less genuine.

• He was warned not to overplay his character's quirks, as it might turn the audience off.

Synonyms

E

to exaggerate

vsto overplay

258 3.1

To say something is larger, better, or worse than it really is

is specific to performance exaggeration that reduces realism and effectiveness

O

to overdo

vsto overplay

58 3.6

Do something too much, more than needed

is specific to performance exaggeration that reduces realism and effectiveness

D

to dramatize

vsto overplay

15 4.2

To make something seem more exciting or important than it really is

is focused on harming realism in a performance rather than general emphasis

P

to play up

vsto overplay

9 4.3

Make something seem more important or impressive than it is

is specific to performance exaggeration that reduces realism and effectiveness

O

to overact

vsto overplay

5 5.5

To act in a way that is too strong or unnatural for the scene

is about making performances seem unrealistic and less effective

H

to ham it up

vsto overplay

• Informal

4 7.4

Act in a silly, exaggerated way to make people laugh

is about making performances seem unrealistic and less effective

H

to ham

vsto overplay

• Informal

3 7.9

To act in an exaggerated way to get laughs or attention

is about making performances seem unrealistic and less effective

O

to overdramatize

vsto overplay

3 6.6

Describe something as more serious or emotional than it really is

is focused on harming realism in a performance rather than general emphasis

C

to chew the scenery

vsto overplay

• Informal

1 9.6

To act in a very exaggerated way to get attention in plays or films

is about making performances seem unrealistic and less effective

O

to overblow

vsto overplay

1 5.9

To make something seem more important or serious than it is

is specific to performance exaggeration that reduces realism and effectiveness

O

to overexaggerate

vsto overplay

1 5.4

To make something seem much worse or bigger than it is

is specific to performance exaggeration that reduces realism and effectiveness

H

to hyperbolize

vsto overplay

• US

1 7.9

To make something seem much bigger or more important than it really is

is specific to performance exaggeration that reduces realism and effectiveness

T

to theatricalize

vsto overplay

7.6

To make something more dramatic and like a stage show

is about making performances seem unrealistic and less effective

M

to melodramatize

vsto overplay

7.7

To make something seem more emotional and dramatic than it is

is focused on harming realism in a performance rather than general emphasis

O

to overdraw

vsto overplay

6.6

Describe something as more important or impressive than it really is

is specific to performance exaggeration that reduces realism and effectiveness

Antonyms

U

to underplay

6 5.3

Make something seem less important than it really is

Idioms

O

to overplay one's hand

• Informal

3 7.0

Show too much confidence and take risks that make you lose your advantage

How Exaggerated

to overact

5 5.5

to overplay

5 5.2

to act

∞ 1.0

to underplay

• Specialized

1 6.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology