as in to use
to take unfair advantage of
the candidate played on the voters' prejudices
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play (on or upon)
Verb
-
That agreement set a 60-day period for negotiations on key issues, including the future of Tehran’s nuclear program amid concerns that Iran wants to use it for military purposes, a claim the country denies.
-
The individuals said the restoration will help ensure the organizations can use the model for defensive cyber purposes.
Verb
-
So far, there are no reports of the usbliter8 bug being exploited in the wild.
-
However, Nawrocki is a nationalist politician who has exploited anti-Ukrainian sentiment for electoral gain.
Verb
-
One video advertises access to a longer clip of a boy toddler being abused for less than three dollars.
-
Christina alleged that Joan physically and emotionally abused her and Christopher in her best-selling 1978 memoir, Mommie Dearest, which was adapted for the 1981 film that starred Faye Dunaway.
Verb
-
While acknowledging Costco's cultural dominance, Sam's Club leverages its scale and digital edge to build loyalty among younger consumers who value utility, convenience, and a feeling of belonging over traditional retail friction.
-
Caluk said there's a need to leverage terrestrial building experiences.
Verb
-
This enables robots to identify objects, track movement, plan motions, and manipulate components with a high degree of precision.
-
Wang then placed his hands underneath her clothing and began touching her breasts before manipulating her arm to touch his genitals, the suit states.
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.
Cite this Entry
“Play (on or upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20%28on%20or%20upon%29. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
