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 play a card or hand poorly by being too aggressive or confident
Usage: card games; poker

Examples

• The media is overplaying the significance of this minor scandal.
• She was overplaying her role as the grieving widow in the school play.
• Don’t overplay your hand in the negotiation or you might lose the deal.
• The actor was clearly overplaying the dramatic scene.
• He’s overplaying his poker hand with that large bet.
• The coach warned against overplaying the team’s recent victory.
• Critics said the director was overplaying the emotional moments in the film.