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
And, of course, there’s background music being played in the public spaces, everything from a Dvořák piano concerto to Taylor Swift, all at a pleasant volume. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026 Where Sarin sees finance playing an immediate and critical role is in prioritization. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
Still, the potential cup-and-handle pattern remains in play, keeping the bullish setup intact for now. —Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 13 May 2026 Directed by Scott Ellis, the play (nominated for five Tonys, including Best Revival), stars Rose Byrne and Kelli O’Hara, both of Tony-nominated. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play
  1. perform
  2. lounge
  3. manipulate
  4. put
  5. relaxation
  6. drama
  7. game
  8. use
Verb
  • To put it mildly, Bain didn’t perform like a rookie.
    — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2026
  • Post-cycling analysis to evaluate condition The researchers also performed post-cycling analysis after 50 cycles, using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to evaluate the condition of the electrodes.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 9 May 2026
Definition of perform
Verb
  • Activities on the sprawling estate span from the active (horseback riding, hiking, kayaking) to the restful (lounging by the large pool overlooking the mountains).
    — Rebekah Peppler, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026
  • Photos of the pair lounging at the pool of an exclusive Arizona hotel were published at the time, followed by Russini and Vrabel’s swift denials of anything untoward.
    — Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
Definition of lounge
Verb
  • Defense attorneys argued at trial that the investigation into the assassination was a mess and that the four were manipulated into taking blame for an internal coup.
    — David Fischer, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2026
  • Still, the video is raising broader concerns about how AI could be used to manipulate voters, particularly as increasingly realistic deepfake technology becomes more widespread.
    — Steve Large, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Definition of manipulate
Verb
  • If a drug retails for $100 and a hospital can buy it for $60, then charges the patient or their insurance the full $100 price, the hospital then has $40 to put toward other expenses.
    — Dené K. Dryden, Twin Cities, 8 May 2026
  • Neto expanded and was able to put a ball into right field.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026
Definition of put
Noun
  • The Administration’s cowboy capture of the Venezuelan autocrat Nicolás Maduro, on January 3rd, prompted an airspace closure in the Caribbean, stranding many populations, none as humbled as the American tourists, gone to the islands for rest and relaxation over the winter holiday.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
  • Hot and cold immersion has been linked to reduced inflammation, improved circulation, muscle relaxation and better sleep — outcomes a 60-minute massage cannot match.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
Definition of relaxation
Noun
  • Inspired by the writer-director’s childhood, the historical coming-of-age drama is set in 1960s South Vietnam where a family-run theater becomes a haven for an eight-year-old boy who leans on the magic of cinema to grow up amid a divisive war.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 11 May 2026
  • Showrunner, writer and executive producer Jonathan Glatzer, executive producer Gina Mingacci and actors Billy Magnussen and Simon Helberg opened up about the timeliness of the drama.
    — Emily Longeretta, Variety, 11 May 2026
Definition of drama
Noun
  • The Warriors finished 37-45 this year while dealing with numerous injuries, including losing Jimmy Butler to a season-ending right knee injury in January and Curry’s 27-game absence with a right knee injury of his own.
    — Janie McCauley, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2026
  • The hearts and minds of Braves players were on Bobby Cox on a sunny evening at Dodger Stadium before the middle game of a three-game series against the Dodgers — a game that meant very little, considering the news of the day.
    — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 10 May 2026
Definition of game
Noun
  • The weeds can be pulled, hoed or treated with herbicides that permit use near trees.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
  • But Rubio said if use of the bases is going to be denied, as Spain did for the Iran war, then the United States would have to reconsider its support for NATO.
    — Michael Loria, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Definition of use

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 14 May. 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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