at play
idiom
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
To infer causality or intent within those actions is even more difficult, if not impossible, when so many other factors are at play beyond Paqueta’s control.
—
Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
There aren’t any substantial architecture or urbanism ideas at play here, but there is a desperate attempt at marketing the services of both to an imagined audience of the young and very online.
—Kate Wagner, Curbed, 5 Sep. 2025
But there will be several other stories at play, such as how Enid will navigate her fate as an alpha werewolf.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2025
That’s the double whammy at play here.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at play
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.
Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
There aren’t any substantial architecture or urbanism ideas at play here, but there is a desperate attempt at marketing the services of both to an imagined audience of the young and very online.
—Kate Wagner, Curbed, 5 Sep. 2025
But there will be several other stories at play, such as how Enid will navigate her fate as an alpha werewolf.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2025
That’s the double whammy at play here.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at play
Cite this Entry
“At play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20play. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share