to exaggerate or overemphasize (one's role in a play, an emotion, an effect, etc.)

The young actor overplayed Hamlet shamelessly. The director of the movie had overplayed the pathos.

to put too much stress on the value or importance of

A charitable biographer had overplayed the man's piety and benevolence.

Cards . to overestimate the strength of (the cards in one's hand) with consequent loss.

Golf . to hit (the ball) past the putting green.

Archaic . outplay.

to exaggerate one's part, an effect, etc.; overact

Without a firm director she invariably overplays.

verb

play down

verb

accent , accentuate , blow out of proportion , dramatize , exaggerate , get carried away , ham it up * , hyperbolize , labor at , lay it on thick , magnify , maximize , mug * , overact , overdo , overdraw , overemphasize , overstate , overstress , overuse , overwork , point up * , show off * , stretch