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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of play up
Slugger Aaron Judge has turned his play up to a new level, and he's been the vocal leader of the team, as expected.
—
Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Xi played up a message that world is in a state of flux and chaos, and China is the responsible, stable power to guide it into the future.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Lynch, the women’s intercontinental champion and one of the top heels on the RAW roster, played up her villainous role to the crowd.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2025
In the 50 Shades films, her blankness gave Anastasia Steele a naïveté that could be played up or down depending on the game of the scene.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play up
Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Xi played up a message that world is in a state of flux and chaos, and China is the responsible, stable power to guide it into the future.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Lynch, the women’s intercontinental champion and one of the top heels on the RAW roster, played up her villainous role to the crowd.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2025
In the 50 Shades films, her blankness gave Anastasia Steele a naïveté that could be played up or down depending on the game of the scene.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play up
Verb
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Marcela Rodríguez, co-chair of the Illinois Latino Agenda, highlighted the importance of being prepared for ICE encounters during a press conference on Friday.—
Deena Zaru,
ABC News,
9 Sep. 2025
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Ellis highlighted the importance of having a film establish such a strong alliance between the North and Northeast of Brazil, especially considering the longstanding focus on the Southeast and cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Schmitt also emphasized the importance of focusing on other aspects of the bill, including no taxes on overtime and no taxes on tips.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Sep. 2025
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The nonprofit emphasized the need for lawmakers to improve coordination across the early learning system as new policies come forward.—
Lina Ruiz
September 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) explains it as 3 days - 3 weeks - 3 months, where in the first few days pets are often stressed, and sticking to a routine while giving them space is key.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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Miller stresses that ThisWayUp isn't trying to reinvent therapy or compete with traditional mental health services.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Amid the album's release, Justin shared several clips and photos on Instagram of billboards and projections in various locations around the world featuring a photo with his 1-year-old son Jack Blues, and himself and his wife, 28, with the little one.—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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While Ne Zha’s home of Chentang Pass is being obliterated, we’re shown a grim, apocalyptic tableau of mass death that features a family with a young child frozen in ash.—
Derek Robertson,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20up. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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