play up

verb

played up; playing up; plays up
Synonyms of play upnext

transitive verb

: emphasize
In the interview, try to play up your strengths.
also : exaggerate, overemphasize
It was only a small achievement but the CEO really played it up.

Examples of play up in a Sentence

that TV news program plays up sensational stories just to get higher ratings
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Others on social media lean into bold colors or animal stripes, to play up the wild quality of the shape. Diana Tsui, Footwear News, 15 May 2026 The Google platform which relies on advertising to drive revenues predictably played up Youtube’s appeal to Canadian marketers. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026 Peeke, meanwhile, had an up-and-down season, starting well while playing up in the lineup with Hampus Lindholm. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026 Nobile played up his role, earning a promotion from Mussolini and a meeting with President Calvin Coolidge. Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for play up

Word History

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of play up was in 1814

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Play up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20up. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

play up

verb

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