interplay

noun

in·​ter·​play ˈin-tər-ˌplā 

: interaction

the interplay of opposing forces

interplay

ˌin-tər-ˈplā  ˈin-tər-ˌplā 

intransitive verb

Examples of interplay in a Sentence

the interplay between the old and the new

enjoys the interplay of three very different flavors

Recent Examples on the Web

The United States still has much to learn about the interplay of human judgment and AI in warfare and getting a baseline understanding of judgment without the help of AI is essential to tracking AI’s positive and negative effects as time goes on. — Emelia S. Probasco, Foreign Affairs, 20 Aug. 2026

The nose kicks off with an immediate interplay between malt and rye. — David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

There’s some great interplay here between you and your background singers — really draws out the R&B in the band’s sound. — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

By then, the question of whether Arendt belonged chiefly to German or American intellectual life mattered less than the interplay in her soul between the two. — David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for interplay

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

interplay

noun

in·​ter·​play ˈint-ər-ˌplā 

: mutual action or influence : interaction

interplay

ˌint-ər-ˈplā 

ˈint-ər-ˌplā

verb