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
This raw moment revealed the ingrained power dynamics at play.
—
Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
But there are forces at play beyond an aversion to ironing, too.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2025
Seawalls and more sand no longer stand the forces at play.
—Jeremy Sabol, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2025
Apart from potential bloodshed at the victim’s expense, something more insidious could be at play if attacks remain persistent.
—Daniel Seifert, JSTOR Daily, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for at play
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Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
But there are forces at play beyond an aversion to ironing, too.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2025
Seawalls and more sand no longer stand the forces at play.
—Jeremy Sabol, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2025
Apart from potential bloodshed at the victim’s expense, something more insidious could be at play if attacks remain persistent.
—Daniel Seifert, JSTOR Daily, 16 July 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 24 Jul. 2025.
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