as in to spend
to make complete use of
we've finally played out the leftovers from that huge holiday meal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 out
What ensued was a drama that has been quietly playing out between the city and Burdge for nearly nine years.
—
Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
Three factors played out in his mind that could’ve changed the entire night, Picerno said.
—Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
Mensah transferring to another school and signing an NIL deal with that school would be difficult to unwind through arbitration, which could take months or longer to play out.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Volunteer medics and chaplains also roam neighborhoods where ICE operations play out, ready to tend to anyone impacted by tear gas or pepper spray.
—Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play out
Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
Three factors played out in his mind that could’ve changed the entire night, Picerno said.
—Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
Mensah transferring to another school and signing an NIL deal with that school would be difficult to unwind through arbitration, which could take months or longer to play out.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Volunteer medics and chaplains also roam neighborhoods where ICE operations play out, ready to tend to anyone impacted by tear gas or pepper spray.
—Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play out
Verb
-
Joabe Barbosa, Matthew Plese and Omar Yousaf spent the day riding the entire MARTA rail system in an attempt to complete the full route in roughly three hours.—
Kaley Fedko,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Visitors can spend their entire trip switching off between the two, but be sure to take some time to explore the rocky cove beaches called calas that have made Costa Blanca famous.—
Liz Provencher,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Not all data centers are water cooled but those that are can consume as much as 5 million gallons a day, the same as a town with a population of 25,000 people.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2026
-
These wines were shipped to other continents and consumed in royal courts.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Introverts have social batteries that will drain over time, but they can be recharged with good energy hygiene.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Stop forcing yourself into formats that drain you.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
On its upward climb, the SLS will quickly exhaust the fuel in all six of its first-stage engines, and they will be jettisoned, leaving only the rocket's upper stage and the Orion spacecraft to reach orbit.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
29 Jan. 2026
-
But freedom of expression is a constant pursuit, as natural as breathing, and silencing it is an imperfect practice that exhausts the oppressor and energizes the oppressed.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
These approaches can help identify fields where farmers can use less phosphorus or pause it altogether, allowing crops to draw down the legacy phosphorus already present.—
Dinesh Phuyal,
The Conversation,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Those two factors caused the program to start drawing down its reserves around 2009, much sooner than had been projected in 2021 and 2022, according to Nuñez.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Traditionally, bakers in European countries used up all their fats and sugar ahead of the Lenten season since religious observances forbid indulgences during the season.—
Jelissa Burns,
Freep.com,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Starting in a small section at the top of a wall, wipe the wallpaper using up-and-down strokes.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
This comes at a time when there has been talk of reducing the number of PGA tournaments on the calendar.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The cross-border clearing platform could streamline operations, reducing risks in OTC trades that dominate the market.—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
These craters help retain moisture, reduce wind exposure and create a warmer microclimate as dark stones absorb and release heat.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Inspired by the shape of a horse’s hoof, Le Perfecteur brush is crafted from synthetic fibre bristles that don’t absorb pigments, but rather deposit them evenly across the skin for ample coverage with little product.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Play out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20out. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
