PLAY UP Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

play up

verb

Definition of play up

as in to highlight

to indicate the importance of by centering attention on that TV news program plays up sensational stories just to get higher ratings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 play up Paye’s pocket-pushing and motor really played up in these situations. — Daniel Popper, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 The book is enlivened by Andersen’s gift for satire, which plays up the comic potential of ideological extremes. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 Unsurprisingly, the Elie Saab H&M collection plays up after-dark glamour, and just in time for holiday party season, too. — Tina Isaac-Goizé, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026 And then there are micro-bangs, which are playing up references to Audrey Hepburn’s classic and side-swept look. — Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for play up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for play up

Verb

Violet, Doralee and Judy highlighted this 46 years ago, and somehow, the issue remains today.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
The most effective adaptation, by his reckoning, is ensuring that workers earn enough to protect themselves beyond the factory gates—a need highlighted by continuing protests over what many say is a woefully inadequate minimum wage.

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of highlight

Verb

Match and Bumble offer broader age ranges, with Match emphasizing profile visibility and Bumble offering photo, ID and in-app communication tools.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
The Puma collaborator emphasized seams on zippered jackets, long shorts, relaxed jeans and a halter maxi dress with thick white stitching.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of emphasize

Verb

Both festivals stressed that refunds will be processed automatically for those who had tickets.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026
In public health, the head of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention stressed the need for the continent to manufacture its own vaccines, and to do so in regional groupings.

— Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of stress

Verb

The menu features classic Scottish dishes made from local ingredients, like Tweeddale sirloin and Belhaven lobster; there's also an 800-bottle wine list.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
The main series, which was birthed out of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, featured the same cast for its first 11 seasons before the network chose to reboot the series for season 12.

— McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026