1. to exaggerate the importance or significance of something
2. to perform a role or character in an excessively dramatic way
Usage: theater; acting
3. to rely too heavily on a particular strength or advantage

Examples

• Don’t overplay the significance of one bad test grade.
• The media tends to overplay celebrity scandals.
• The actor overplayed his role, making it seem unrealistic.
• She overplayed her hand in the negotiation and lost the deal.
• The coach warned the team not to overplay their star player.
• He overplayed his charm and came across as insincere.
• The politician overplayed the crisis to gain support.