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.
Sadio Mane, who was playing up front alongside him for Liverpool at the time, scored the decisive spot kick. Jay Harris, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025 In addition, football players can play up to four regular season games plus postseason games in a redshirt year without the season counting against the four seasons cap. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Dec. 2025 Antetokounmpo, who is currently out 2-4 weeks with a calf strain, has played up to his MVP-level self even in a down year for the Bucks. Tyler Erzberger, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025 In the film, the brothers play up various exaggerated stereotypes. Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025 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 19 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

play up

verb

More from Merriam-Webster on play up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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