play 1 of 2

verb

Definition of playnext
1
as in to recreate
to engage in activity for amusement told her son that he needed some time to run and play in the yard after his hard work

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to perform
to present a portrayal or performance of played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic

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3
as in to pose (as)
to pretend to be (what one is not) in appearance or behavior stop playing the innocent, because I know that you were behind that prank

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4
as in to lounge
to spend time in aimless activity just played around while we waited for the bus to arrive

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to manipulate
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently this is how we're going to play the situation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to put
to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event figuring that she had little to lose, she played her last few bucks on the state lottery

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play

2 of 2

noun

ˈplā How to pronounce play (audio)
1
as in relaxation
activity engaged in to amuse oneself it's such a delight to watch the children in their play

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drama
a written work in which the story is told through speech and action that is intended to be acted out on stage we'll be putting on a school play using that stage

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3
as in game
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously I didn't mean to insult anyone, for it was all just play

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in use
the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose the host's sense of humor was obviously in play during the awards ceremony

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end the guy at the bar made an unusually creative play to get her phone number

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun play differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of play are fun, game, jest, and sport. While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

In what contexts can fun take the place of play?

While the synonyms fun and play are close in meaning, fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

played cards just for fun

How do game and sport relate to one another, in the sense of play?

Game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

When can jest be used instead of play?

While in some cases nearly identical to play, jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

When would sport be a good substitute for play?

Although the words sport and play have much in common, sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone.

teasing begun in sport led to anger

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of play
Verb
Daytime in the lush park (three hours south of Mexico City) is rich with bands playing psychedelic cumbia, Afrobeat, Latin fusion, and more, while out at night come DJs, local and imported — like this year’s Satoshi Tomiie. — Matt Thompson, SPIN, 14 July 2026 Part of his charm here included playing the stalwart father figure to two terrified kids — someone a child could trust to stick around and keep watch all night when the dinosaurs came chomping. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Noun
Oberman, who is reimagining the play, will star as Geri Essendine, a female version of the usual lead character Garry Essendine, which was originated on stage by Coward himself. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 15 July 2026 The government has also updated on plans to stop addictive features such as auto-play and infinite scroll being available, saying – combined with the curfew – the measures will improve teenagers’ lives. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play
  1. entertain
  2. perform
  3. mock
  4. lounge
  5. manipulate
  6. put
  7. relaxation
  8. drama
Verb
  • Prior to cinemas or concert halls, traveling poets would entertain crowds with tall tales of the Trojan War, its flawed heroes, the whims and meddling of the gods, and Odysseus’s perilous journey home.
    — Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Ballet and opera were always art forms to entertain the wealthy.
    — Xochitl Gonzalez, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
Definition of entertain
Verb
  • But for many Georgians who volunteered, worked, performed or attended the Games, the memories that have endured are far more personal.
    — Andrea Clement, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
  • One of Ramboll’s innovations is to address reactive power, a component of electricity that does not perform useful work but is essential in maintaining electrical and magnetic fields and controlling voltage levels.
    — Drew Robb, IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2026
Definition of perform
Verb
  • Rushdie has spent almost 40 years under threat of death from Islamic extremists after the Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against him, claiming Rushdie’s novel The Satanic Verses blasphemed Islam and mocked the Prophet Muhammad.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 July 2026
  • Kimmel mocked McConnell by posting the same exact photo on Instagram with Kimmel’s face apparently photoshopped on to McConnell’s body.
    — Zack Sharf, Variety, 13 July 2026
Definition of mock
Verb
  • For tennis lessons, swinging at the driving range, and even lounging on the couch, this skort works for a range of occasions.
    — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
  • In the center, a cluster of tortellini lounged in a pool of truffle-flecked butter sauce.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of lounge
Verb
  • Raving can be traced to the late 1980s, when artists like DJ Pierre and Spanky sparked a bright but short flame of acid house in Chicago clubs, manipulating synthesizers to create squelchy beats dancers could jack their bodies to.
    — Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 15 July 2026
  • Today’s elite are going to extraordinary lengths to manipulate their microclimates, from morphing mansions to underground snow rooms.
    — Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 15 July 2026
Definition of manipulate
Verb
  • In his fifth-inning at-bat, Stephenson was on the other side of two successful challenges by Rutschman that put him down 1-2 in the count instead of up 3-0.
    — C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 6 July 2026
  • Go on, put the 131-cube (2,147 cc) monster engine into that one.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
Definition of put
Noun
  • The adjacent pool area is a dream for young kids—and any parent wanting a few minutes of worry-free relaxation on one of the deck chairs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
  • Baby yoga and reflexology sessions encourage relaxation and parent-child bonding.
    — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 14 July 2026
Definition of relaxation
Noun
  • The ensemble drama traces the unpredictable shape of grief and family dynamics, aiming for an emotionally candid portrait of loss and the ties that hold communities together.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Drawing inspiration from Cavalleria Rusticana, the designers transformed the monument into a grand open-air opera, celebrating the drama, artistry, and cultural richness of Sicily.
    — Dylan Jones, Robb Report, 16 July 2026
Definition of drama

Phrases Containing play

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plausibly
play
playact
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Cite this Entry

“Play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on play

Nglish: Translation of play for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about play

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