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
The tense trailer indicates the series will play up the earlier films’ pulpy Southern Gothic vibe, as well as the terrifying horror of the previous adaptations if Bardem’s sinister, sadistic grin and prison tattoos tell us anything.
—
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026
That has helped his four-seamer and curveball play up, with both up above average in Stuff+ for the first time in his career.
—Eno Sarris, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Following a devastating turn on The Wire, Jordan played up the drama on the ABC soap opera All My Children.
—Ken Simmons, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
There is, however, a way to play up that default by going for a metallic that acts as a grounding neutral.
—Amber Rambharose, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play up
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026
That has helped his four-seamer and curveball play up, with both up above average in Stuff+ for the first time in his career.
—Eno Sarris, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Following a devastating turn on The Wire, Jordan played up the drama on the ABC soap opera All My Children.
—Ken Simmons, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
There is, however, a way to play up that default by going for a metallic that acts as a grounding neutral.
—Amber Rambharose, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play up
Verb
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Wall Street analysts have highlighted that dollar dominance is anchored by the greenback’s use as the standard currency in the global oil trade.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
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Welcome to the Friday, April 10, 2026, private school baseball and softball edition of the Fastball, a Star-Telegram series highlighting Fort Worth-area teams.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Large alternative asset managers, with both private credit and private equity businesses, are so far striking a measured tone, acknowledging pockets of stress while emphasizing resilience.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
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In conversations with Colman Domingo, Fuqua emphasized that Joe was also a strong, if flawed, avatar of African American fatherhood.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Anderson wasn’t really stressed out over the Hall of Fame premise, just kind of fascinated.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
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But on Saturday, with the college basketball world stressed over the transfer portal and UConn fans, in particular, waiting on similar big decisions from their own stars, Karaban was glad to know his next steps.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Music and performances featured local talent, including DJ Noodles, known for working with Bay Area artist Kehlani, as attendees filled the space throughout the day.—
Loureen Ayyoub,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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This bag is made of supple Italian suede (still suitable for spring and can totally handle summer) and features two interior pockets and a key-ring holder.—
Christina Shepherd McGuire,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Play up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20up. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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