PLAY UP Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

play up

verb

Definition of play up

as in to highlight

to indicate the importance of by centering attention on that TV news program plays up sensational stories just to get higher ratings

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 up Under-eye shadows, bags and lower-lid definition get played up instead of concealed. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 Vance has been playing up to MAGA lately, going hard on immigration and confronting reporters similar to his boss. — Joe Battenfeld, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026 State Farm is playing up its personalized plans with a couple of spots that feature Mahomes, and Chiefs coach Andy Reid makes an appearance in one of the ads. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026 Boobie had also been playing up one — or two even — age levels. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for play up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for play up

Verb

The glow of her computer occasionally caught her sharp cheekbones and bounced off her chin, highlighting the thin tattooed line that bisects it.

— Myriam Gurba, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
The neighborhood festival in October features a day of performances, speakers, artists, vendors and food that highlight the diversity of the community.

— Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of highlight

Verb

At the separate meetings with Hun Sen and Hun Manet, Min Aung Hlaing emphasized that Myanmar was working to strengthen cooperation within ASEAN, MRTV said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
Scholarly writing about slavery in the Americas—which has mostly centered on Black enslavement—has emphasized its economic value in building plantations, wealth, and American capitalism.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of emphasize

Verb

Zelensky has previously stressed said that an acute shortage of air defense interceptors has left Ukraine vulnerable to ballistic missile attacks.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
And getting started, Dunlap stresses, does not require becoming an expert or having a perfect financial plan.

— Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of stress

Verb

The 54-suite Orient Express Corinthian features five restaurants under the culinary direction of superstar chef Yannick Alléno, whose restaurants have won multiple Michelin stars, and sails the Med until autumn.

— Janice Wald Henderson, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026
Rhodes put out a heartbreaking post on social media, featuring photos of him, his wife Brandi and their children with their dog through the years.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026