play to
verb
played to; playing to; plays to
1
: to behave or perform in a particular way for (someone or something) in order to get approval or attention
He didn't mean what he was saying. He was just playing to the crowd.
He loves publicity and plays to the cameras every chance he gets.
2
: to make use of (something)
a film that plays to stereotypes of housewives
In his latest album, he once again plays to his strengths as a classical musician.
Examples of play to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That how legendary oil man Harold Hamm described the extraction state of play to Gregory Zuckerman in his 2013 book, The Frackers.
—
John Tamny, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
The ball appeared to cross the goal line upon first glance, drawing roars from the nearby River Guard supporters group mere feet away, but the watching linesman ruled the ball wasn’t completely over the line and called for play to continue.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 28 May 2026
Newport Harbor coach Josh Lee talked about how the Sailors’ coaches should have placed players in better position to make plays to get outs in the final inning.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Under an agreement announced Wednesday, the LEGO Foundation committed $97 million to expand International Rescue Committee programs that use play to help millions of children learn and recover.
—ABC News, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for play to
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John Tamny, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
The ball appeared to cross the goal line upon first glance, drawing roars from the nearby River Guard supporters group mere feet away, but the watching linesman ruled the ball wasn’t completely over the line and called for play to continue.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 28 May 2026
Newport Harbor coach Josh Lee talked about how the Sailors’ coaches should have placed players in better position to make plays to get outs in the final inning.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Under an agreement announced Wednesday, the LEGO Foundation committed $97 million to expand International Rescue Committee programs that use play to help millions of children learn and recover.
—ABC News, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for play to
Cite this Entry
“Play to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20to. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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