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

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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 And the Dolphins’ veteran tackles haven’t played up to expectations this season. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026 The hotel plays up its proximity to ACL Live, with framed photographs of the show and an Austin City Limits coffee table book of images captured by the same photographer. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026 As for the rest of the roster, the Yankees decided Friday that Gerrit Cole would start Game 1, a decision driven by how Cole’s stuff plays up at the Trop. — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026 While Nembhard and Whitmore can play up to 50 NBA games for Denver this season on their two-way contracts, training camp invitee Lonnie Walker IV isn’t eligible to sign a two-way anymore due to his seven years of NBA service time. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for play up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for play up

Verb

Moncler highlighted the trailblazing careers and unique legacies of these artists.

— Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
The video also serves as a recruitment effort, highlighting the technical work involved in building and maintaining Atlas.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of highlight

Verb

Google’s November 13, 2025 holiday shopping update began rolling out agentic checkout and emphasized the scale of its Shopping Graph, with more than 50 billion product listings and 2 billion refreshed every hour.

— Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The collectibles industry, once a niche hobby, has boomed since the pandemic with the help of marketing that emphasizes huge potential monetary wins.

— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of emphasize

Verb

Beskrestnov stressed that it is not used on Russian territory and that Starshield provides no service to Ukrainian drones used to attack oil refineries there.

— Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Jill Lindsey, an advocate for the Old National community, stressed that both resident homeowners and independent investors are taking devastating financial losses.

— La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of stress

Verb

Ramaswamy’s campaign released a video featuring Acton’s mother, Donna Arthur, who tells viewers not to vote for her daughter.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026
The Six Kings Slam tennis tournament—which was set to feature Grand Slam champions Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Alexander Zverev—has also been postponed.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026