<p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object) to act (a part) sketchily</li><li>to act subtly and restrainedly</li><li>to understate or de-emphasize; downplay: The ambassador underplayed his role in the peace negotiations.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used without object) to leave out of one's acting all subtlety and enriching detail</li><li>to achieve an effect in acting with a minimum of emphasis</li></ul>