1
as in recreated
to engage in activity for amusement
told her son that he needed some time to run and play in the yard after his hard work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in performed
to present a portrayal or performance of
played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in mocked
to pretend to be (what one is not) in appearance or behavior
stop playing the innocent, because I know that you were behind that prank
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in lounged
to spend time in aimless activity
just played around while we waited for the bus to arrive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in handled
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
this is how we're going to play the situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in put
to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event
figuring that she had little to lose, she played her last few bucks on the state lottery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of played
The smallest nation by size (171 square miles) and population — 158,000, or twice the size of Arrowhead Stadium’s capacity — stood with all fans as the national anthems for both teams played.
—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2026
Dalal said their son played there daily with his friends, taking advantage of a club policy that allows children under five to enter without a membership.
—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
The Chargers are also adding incoming freshman quarterback Emerson Andrews, whose father, David, played tight end at Ohio State and was a member of the 2002 national championship team.
—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
Short played for both the Mets and the Braves in the 2024 season, as well as the Boston Red Sox, and was briefly a member of the Houston Astros before his latest stint with the Tigers.
—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Also, she’s played by Early himself.
—
Ct Jones,
Rolling Stone,
20 June 2026
Although the championship-clinching game was played thousands of miles away, police maintained a large presence around Madison Square Garden, the Knicks' home arena.
—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Jerg Ramel brought his mother and a family friend to the restaurant, despite being only a few miles from where the game was being played.
—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
Smith played a key role in the 49ers’ dominant defense in the early 2010s under head coach Jim Harbaugh, which earned San Francisco an NFC championship and appearance in Super Bowl XLVII, which the 49ers lost to the Baltimore Ravens.
—
Michael McGough,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2026
Dalal said their son played there daily with his friends, taking advantage of a club policy that allows children under five to enter without a membership.
—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
The Chargers are also adding incoming freshman quarterback Emerson Andrews, whose father, David, played tight end at Ohio State and was a member of the 2002 national championship team.
—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
Short played for both the Mets and the Braves in the 2024 season, as well as the Boston Red Sox, and was briefly a member of the Houston Astros before his latest stint with the Tigers.
—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Also, she’s played by Early himself.
—
Ct Jones,
Rolling Stone,
20 June 2026
Although the championship-clinching game was played thousands of miles away, police maintained a large presence around Madison Square Garden, the Knicks' home arena.
—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Jerg Ramel brought his mother and a family friend to the restaurant, despite being only a few miles from where the game was being played.
—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
Smith played a key role in the 49ers’ dominant defense in the early 2010s under head coach Jim Harbaugh, which earned San Francisco an NFC championship and appearance in Super Bowl XLVII, which the 49ers lost to the Baltimore Ravens.
—
Michael McGough,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played
Verb
-
This reportedly recreated the pion’s internal structure in remarkable detail.
-
The building, now a historical landmark, reopened its doors in 2015 after a restoration that recreated the original paint palette and 1930s carpeting and murals.
Verb
-
Among the hundreds of surgeries performed over three decades by ElAttrache, his patients include the four 2024 MLB most valuable player and Cy Young Award winners — Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Chris Sale and Tarik Skubal.
-
The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery reports that the average number of hair restoration surgeries performed per member in the past year is 178.
Verb
-
One attack ad mocked Ossoff for playful college-era behavior.
-
Just days before the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, a professional UFC fighter standing inside a cage erected on the South Lawn of the White House mocked former First Lady Michelle Obama by referring to her as a man.
Verb
-
In the living room, a tabby cat with a clipped ear lounged on a velvet couch, her front paws propping open an illustrated catalogue of military aircraft.
-
The couple giggled between kisses and lounged on a red-and-white picnic blanket while overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Verb
-
The source familiar with the 2024 fire probe said city inspectors now have questions following this new blaze about how the company handled the recovery from the last incident.
-
Your perceptive nature senses a family need, household issue, or emotional loose end that should be handled before bigger plans move forward.
Verb
-
In addition to the fear of deportation, the ruling puts thousands of immigrants at risk of losing their work authorization and their jobs, according to a Haitian-American journalist.
-
That lawsuit, in part, accuses City Attorney Miko Brown of pushing airport officials to investigate a charter airline's safety record -- not because of genuine safety concerns, but to create legal cover for a city council vote that put $90 million in federal grant money at risk.
Verb
-
Year-round programming adapts to the seasons, with both kids' and teen programs ensuring young travelers are entertained while adults relax with activities, spa treatments, or quiet meals.
-
Chicago Fire inflatables were set up on the pitch alongside all kinds of activities to keep kids entertained.
Verb
-
That’s because Noelle’s a different type of protagonist, portrayed confidently by Al Zahrani, a woman contending with her own loss while trying to gain a more prominent job than being the scanner of a police documents.
-
On the opinion side, Paxton was heavily platformed and portrayed Cornyn as an enemy of the president.
Cite this Entry
“Played.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
