Play up and Understate

Opposite meaning terms

Play up verb - To indicate the importance of by centering attention on.

Usage example: that TV news program plays up sensational stories just to get higher ratings

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Understate is an antonym for play up.

Understate verb - Represent as less significant or important.

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Play up is an antonym for understate.

Nearby Words: understatement, understating

Cite this Source

Understate and Play up. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/play_up/understate

Play up & Understate. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/play_up/understate>.

Understate or Play up. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/play_up/understate.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "play up" and "understate" have occurred on timeline