1. restrained or subdued acting that lacks sufficient emotion or energy
Usage: theater; film

Examples

• The director criticized the lead actor’s underacting in the emotional scenes.
• Her underacting made the character seem distant and unengaged.
• The film suffered from underacting that failed to convey the story’s intensity.
• Critics noted the underacting throughout the entire production.
• Good acting requires balance—avoiding both overacting and underacting.
• The drama coach worked with students to prevent underacting in their performances.