underplay

/ˌʌndərˈpleɪ/
verb
  1. To make something seem less important or serious than it really is.
    • The politician tried to underplay the impact of the new tax on middle-class families.
    • Don't underplay the risks of hiking alone in bad weather.
    • She underplayed her role in the project, even though she was the team leader.
  2. In acting or performance, to perform in a restrained or subtle way, without exaggeration.
    • In the comedy, she underplayed her lines perfectly, letting the absurdity speak for itself.
    • He chose to underplay the villain's anger, making him more chilling than a loud performance would.
    • The director asked the actor to underplay the emotional scene to make it feel more real.
What does "underplay" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean