play out

verb

Definition of play outnext
as in to spend
to make complete use of we've finally played out the leftovers from that huge holiday meal

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Window closing to find survivors These are the kinds of scenes playing out across La Guaira state, with people milling around in the streets after being left homeless, uncertain of what to do next. — Fernando Narro Roman, NPR, 28 June 2026 Cook, who has remained in the post while the case plays out, called the allegations a pretext to oust her over monetary policy differences. — Will Dunham, USA Today, 28 June 2026 How does this play out in the employment market? — Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 These same dynamics are now playing out in litigation over social media and youth mental health. — Alex Smolak, STAT, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for play out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play out
  1. spend
  2. consume
  3. drain
  4. exhaust
  5. draw down
  6. use up
  7. reduce
  8. absorb
Verb
  • Successful candidates will then be invited to spend a day at the bank’s offices where they are tested on banking regulation, their use of AI, and their ability to build calculations.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Finnish Government has granted Posiva Oy an operating license for the world’s first permanent underground repository for spent nuclear fuel.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of spend
Verb
  • Contemplation of this tax — which produced $384 million in the last fiscal year — has consumed endless hours of work from some of the county’s most respected leaders, and drawn earnest public testimony from dozens of people.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
  • So much about our elections is being decided now by people who are actively trying not to consume political news.
    — Jacob Brogan, Vox, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of consume
Verb
  • Be sure to drain the olives, mushrooms, and use a thick pizza sauce to avoid a watery dip.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Eating triggers saliva production, but a stone can keep the saliva from draining, causing the gland to swell.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of drain
Verb
  • So, get ready for mountain vistas and exhausting cycling days to take your breath away and questions about your life choices to swirl around in your head!
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026
  • That pretty much exhausts the points of agreement between the pro- and anti-Proposition 40 camps.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of exhaust
Verb
  • To cover the cost increases out of pocket, trucking firms have drawn down savings, redirected spending away from maintenance, or halted purchases of fuel-efficient trucks.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • From March 2013 to February 2014, during Jolly's tenure at Boston Finance Group, the company drew down more than $10 million from CSNT, the accountant's analysis shows.
    — Cristian Benavides, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of draw down
Verb
  • The bar also will provide an outlet to use up inventory left over from Idaho Tipsy Trailers events.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 20 Oct. 2026
  • For instance, the nitrogen tank that fuels the thruster system takes just six seconds to use up and hours to refill, Tesla’s vice president of vehicle engineering, Lars Moravy, told Top Gear.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of use up
Verb
  • Sullivan touted his Bycatch Reduction Act, a bill intended to reduce excess fish caught by large commercial trawlers.
    — Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Energy-absorbing seats are designed to manage forces transmitted to occupants during an impact, potentially reducing injury risks.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • There’s a certain incompressible amount of time that’s required for your brain to absorb and get past the first instincts.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The South Fork and Salt fires charred the landscape, leaving soils that didn’t easily absorb water.
    — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of absorb

Browse Nearby Words

play (on or upon)
play out
plays
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Play out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20out. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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