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

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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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“At play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20play. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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