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
Meanwhile, there’s also a risk of hype at play.
—
Neil Callanan, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2025
The expiring subsidies were the central issue at play during the 43-day government shutdown.
—The Hill Staff, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2025
Some profit-taking may be at play here as well.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2025
The film’s opening image of a cynical, homeless character reminiscent of one of Aster’s earlier short films, C’est La Vie, also sets a critical, outsider tone on the political and economic anxieties at play.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2025
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Neil Callanan, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2025
The expiring subsidies were the central issue at play during the 43-day government shutdown.
—The Hill Staff, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2025
Some profit-taking may be at play here as well.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2025
The film’s opening image of a cynical, homeless character reminiscent of one of Aster’s earlier short films, C’est La Vie, also sets a critical, outsider tone on the political and economic anxieties at play.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 11 Dec. 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 14 Dec. 2025.
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