1
as in to recreate
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 to perform
to present a portrayal or performance of
played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to pose (as)
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 to lounge
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 to manipulate
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
this is how we're going to play the situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in relaxation
activity engaged in to amuse oneself
it's such a delight to watch the children in their play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drama
a written work in which the story is told through speech and action that is intended to be acted out on stage
we'll be putting on a school play using that stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in game
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously
I didn't mean to insult anyone, for it was all just play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in use
the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose
the host's sense of humor was obviously in play during the awards ceremony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
the guy at the bar made an unusually creative play to get her phone number
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of play
Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
There was a time when everyone at a crypto event saw themselves as an outsider, and the VC industry viewed crypto venture capitalists as a different breed playing a different game.
—Ani Freedman, Fortune, 20 June 2025
Angelique Jackson, Variety, 9 June 2025
The two left their partners only to break up after the play’s run—what’s known in the business as a showmance.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for play
Verb
His input on the pitch isn’t only limited to the left wing, as, unlike Williams, Rashford can play all three positions across the front line while providing a good alternative to the aging Robert Lewandowski.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
There was a time when everyone at a crypto event saw themselves as an outsider, and the VC industry viewed crypto venture capitalists as a different breed playing a different game.
—Ani Freedman, Fortune, 20 June 2025
Noun
Related Stories Performances begin on Tuesday at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, with the play’s 11-week engagement officially opening on June 24.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 9 June 2025
The two left their partners only to break up after the play’s run—what’s known in the business as a showmance.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play
Verb
-
Flowering cherries are among gardeners' favorite spring blooming trees, but not all cherries perform well in the South.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
27 June 2025
-
Modern executives must similarly create robust succession planning, knowledge transfer systems, and institutional memory, not just to perform well during their tenure, but to set up the next generation for success.—
Esade Business & Law School,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Patio mats can also make the pool more comfortable for lounging, and create a soft base for toddlers or small children to play on.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 June 2025
-
While the building is meant as a nod to the land’s agricultural roots, this one is for play rather than work: It’s set up for lounging and dining inside, with a wet bar for mixing up drinks and an outdoor fire pit perfect for making s’mores.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
24 June 2025
Verb
-
Our Senate and representatives are all manipulating their own power rather than running the country.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
18 June 2025
-
But the lesson of the ’74 Act is clear: Absent congressional will, lawmakers inevitably will find ways to manipulate their own rules to make deficits even worse.—
Howard Gleckman,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
Haliburton put no weight on the leg and had his face wrapped in towels as he was taken to the Pacers’ locker room for evaluation.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
23 June 2025
-
Eight steel lifting straps were used to put the hull upright and to form part of a steel wire lifting system that began raising the vessel out of the water Saturday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
The Spa will feature eight treatment rooms, dry saunas, two relaxation lounges with a double-sided fireplace overlooking the orchard, an additional 1,500 square-foot terrace with a year-round outdoor heated mineral spa, a meditation garden, and a dedicated spa fire pit.—
Everett Potter,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
-
An English cocker spaniel named Mango, from the United Kingdom, was just enjoying a moment of relaxation with his mom when things took a bizarre turn, leaving internet users in stitches.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
Meetings between these sides have seen plenty of drama in recent years.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
27 June 2025
-
All of this drama is revisited the next day in the Werk Room, with Alyssa standing by her statement about Denali winning the lip sync.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
The 6-foot-1 guard, who has a 6-6 wingspan, averaged 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists during 36 games but saw his scoring jump to 16.1 points when he was inserted into the starting lineup for the last 15 contests to help Michigan State reach the Elite Eight.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 June 2025
-
With Chisholm out of the game, the Yankees shifted Oswald Peraza to third base, with DJ LeMahieu filling in at second.—
Johnny Flores Jr,
New York Times,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
After a wide-ranging discussion Tuesday, the board approved a revised budget that removed $645 million over the next three years from contributions toward retiree health benefits to an account that could instead fund wage increases for employees, among other possible uses.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2025
-
The use of nuclear weapons by the U.K. as part of the mission would require the authorization of NATO’s nuclear planning group as well as the U.S. president and British prime minister.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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