underact

/'ʌndər'ækt/

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Word: Underact

Part of Speech: Verb

Definition: To "underact" means to perform a role or act in a way that shows very little emotion or expression. It is the opposite of overacting, where an actor exaggerates their feelings and actions.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "underact" when talking about acting, especially in theater or film.
• It can also be used more generally to describe someone who is not showing enough emotion or enthusiasm in a situation.

Example Sentence:

• The actor decided to underact in the serious scene, which made his character seem more realistic and relatable.

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced contexts, you might talk about underacting as a technique in performance art or film, where subtlety is preferred over overt expressions. This can often lead to a more powerful impact, as it encourages the audience to engage more actively with the performance.

Word Variants:

• Underacting (noun): The practice or style of acting with restraint or minimal expression.
• Underacted (adjective): Describing a performance that lacks emotional expression.

Different Meaning:

While "underact" primarily relates to acting, it can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is not responding strongly enough in a situation that might require more emotion or action.

Synonyms:

• Restrain
• Moderate
• Underplay
• Tone down

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "underact," but you might come across phrases like: - "Play it cool": This means to act in a calm and controlled manner, similar to underacting. - "Keep a low profile": This means to not attract attention to oneself, which can also imply underacting in social situations.

Summary:

To "underact" is to show less emotion while performing a role, which can be a powerful technique in acting.

Academic

Verb

1. act (a role) with great restraint

Synonyms

• underplay