PLAY OUT Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

play out

verb

Definition of play out

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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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

Verb

According to public-records research by FOIAball, Rutgers spent $191,220 on fireworks and drone shows during the 2025 season.

— Manny Navarro, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
The jury spent a week deliberating in Plymouth Superior Court in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where supporters and onlookers gathered outside for days awaiting a possible verdict.

— James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of spend

Verb

This matters because consistently consuming too much sodium can raise blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
Overall, sugar alcohols can affect people differently, and their digestive effects also depend largely on the amount consumed.

— Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of consume

Verb

As a young man, Francisco traversed it on horseback, eking out a living by draining resin from the towering pines.

— Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Management voluntarily closed the store until a three-compartment sink could be fixed to drain properly.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of drain

Verb

Lucie, having exhausted all other possibilities, and needing Darnay in order to find her father, hires a very reluctant Carton, who in a trick worthy of Perry Mason, gets him off when a witness cannot tell him and Darnay apart.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Last month, multiple sources familiar with the matter told CNN that the US military had exhausted nearly 80% of its interceptors for a key missile defense system.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of exhaust

Verb

Inventories, or global stockpiles of crude oil, have been drawn down this spring and summer at a rapid clip, after governments around the world agreed in early March to release 400 million barrels of oil in a bid to ease soaring prices.

— Gordon Lubold, NBC news, 8 Sep. 2026
Indeed, some of the schools that have drawn down their endowments — including Indiana’s Martin University and Notre Dame College in Ohio — ended up closing anyway.

— Bloomberg, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of draw down

Verb

Halloween candy cookie bars are the perfect dessert to serve at a Halloween party or potluck an easy way to use up leftover candy.

— Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2026
Flight controllers managed to slow the tumble and stabilize the spacecraft, using up precious fuel.

— Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of use up

Verb

Its compact permanent magnet motor enables a smaller pod diameter, reducing hydrodynamic drag while maintaining high propulsion performance.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
Advanced transmission technologies can reduce those losses and increase existing network capacity without requiring entirely new lines.

— Nana Menya Ayensu, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

Curtailment risk in India refers to a situation when renewable power plants are forced to cut their generation to meet the electrical grid’s capacity to safely absorb or transmit power.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
This design effectively absorbs violent shockwaves that would otherwise shatter conventional armor.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of absorb

Browse Nearby Words

play (on or upon)

play out

plays

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“Play out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20out. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of play out

verb

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