1
as in recreating
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in performing
to present a portrayal or performance of
played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in mocking
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in lounging
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 managing
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
this is how we're going to play the situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in putting
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of playing
Despite playing before halftime, Scheierman and Walsh were not put back on the court again until the final seconds.
—
Jay King, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Investigators pointed to a March 23, 2023, game involving Rozier, then playing for the Charlotte Hornets.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
She's been gone for over 20 years, and so to win this for a soap opera, playing a villain, is really wonderful.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Other credits include playing opposite Nicolas Cage in Between Worlds, starring alongside Hilary Duff and Jonathan Bennett in The Haunting of Sharon Tate, and headlining Lifetime’s Psycho Sister-in-Law.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
Her creative journey began at eleven, playing drums in a hardcore band in Bogotá; attending the Berklee School of Music and experiencing Boston’s club scene compelled her to change tracks.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Cameron Barr, owner of Craft + Tailored and a longtime vintage watch dealer, served as the film’s horological advisor—and ended up playing himself on screen.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
Douglas Dulgarian began making noise as TAGABOW in 2017, playing house shows and releasing early cassettes like 2017’s Sweater Curse.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Midthunder, who starred in 20th Century’s Predator movie Prey, is playing the young woman.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Jay King, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Investigators pointed to a March 23, 2023, game involving Rozier, then playing for the Charlotte Hornets.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
She's been gone for over 20 years, and so to win this for a soap opera, playing a villain, is really wonderful.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Other credits include playing opposite Nicolas Cage in Between Worlds, starring alongside Hilary Duff and Jonathan Bennett in The Haunting of Sharon Tate, and headlining Lifetime’s Psycho Sister-in-Law.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
Her creative journey began at eleven, playing drums in a hardcore band in Bogotá; attending the Berklee School of Music and experiencing Boston’s club scene compelled her to change tracks.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Cameron Barr, owner of Craft + Tailored and a longtime vintage watch dealer, served as the film’s horological advisor—and ended up playing himself on screen.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
Douglas Dulgarian began making noise as TAGABOW in 2017, playing house shows and releasing early cassettes like 2017’s Sweater Curse.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Midthunder, who starred in 20th Century’s Predator movie Prey, is playing the young woman.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing
Verb
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But as Sora 2 users began recreating celebrities without consent, OpenAI was forced to act.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
-
And the public gets some wild movies and TV shows that would otherwise never get made, doing crazy-stupid stuff like recreating Napoleonic-era sea battles off the coast of the Galapagos.—
John Lopez,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Although the Peacock adaptation didn't show a full shot of Gacy in his clown costume, the series included scenes of him talking about his passion for dressing up as a clown and publicly performing as one.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
-
The clip, directed by Adrian Rickard Ennis, splices together footage of Freeman performing and New Mexico’s annual Cerrillos Burro race.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Even shoppers nibbling on a slice of pizza seemed to be mocking him.—
Jeff Pearlman,
Rolling Stone,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Link was captured on Ring camera footage mocking and belittling Jimenez after shooting him, Bergida said.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The company also collaborated with Nike last month to launch an initial three core activewear collections and four seasonal collections, featuring pieces designed for everything from strength training and everyday workouts to lounging and running errands.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
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Imagine hosting a cozy dinner party under the stars, morning coffee with a view, or simply lounging with a good book in the sunshine—all without ever leaving your own space.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
They’re managing and handling a very important strategic asset for us.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
-
DerParseghian, a perennial on THR‘s annual list of the top business managers in Hollywood and one of only a handful of female managing partners in entertainment business management, continues to manage the boutique firm based in Sherman Oaks, boasting some of Hollywood’s biggest A-list as clients.—
Steven Huizar,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And congressional elections this Sunday are expected to further go against his party, putting additional pressure on the currency.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
But today, wearable tech and nano-cameras are putting even upstanding poker players on their guard.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Andrew Garfield leads the feature that is now in production, portraying the leader of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Think less focus on portraying perfection, and more focus on storytelling.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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How does this help democracy, imitating what Texas is doing?—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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In an instance of art imitating life, the film's soundtrack also achieved great success as the highest-debuting soundtrack of 2025 on the Billboard 200.—
Jessica Wang,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Playing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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