at play

phrase

1

: in the act of playing

the sounds of children at play

2

: being something that helps produce or influence a result

Several issues are at play in determining the price of gasoline.

Examples of at play in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Friday’s Club Sportico essay breaks down the plan, the backlash and the underlying issues at play. — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026

Broad Strokes is less insistently self-aware than other entries in this catalogue, though the same currents are at play within it. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 28 July 2026

There is also bias at play, which affects decision-making, even unconsciously. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026

Relatives of the Hortmans blasted the Department of Justice for not seeking the death penalty and said politics were at play. — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 23 July 2026

Rhymes for at play

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway