1
as in to recreate
to engage in activity for amusement
told her son that he needed some time to run and play in the yard after his hard work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to perform
to present a portrayal or performance of
played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to pose (as)
to pretend to be (what one is not) in appearance or behavior
stop playing the innocent, because I know that you were behind that prank
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to lounge
to spend time in aimless activity
just played around while we waited for the bus to arrive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to manipulate
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
this is how we're going to play the situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in relaxation
activity engaged in to amuse oneself
it's such a delight to watch the children in their play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drama
a written work in which the story is told through speech and action that is intended to be acted out on stage
we'll be putting on a school play using that stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in game
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously
I didn't mean to insult anyone, for it was all just play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in use
the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose
the host's sense of humor was obviously in play during the awards ceremony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
the guy at the bar made an unusually creative play to get her phone number
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to use
to take unfair advantage of
the candidate played on the voters' prejudices
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to exploit
to control or take advantage of by artful, unfair, or insidious means
played upon the customer's vanity to convince her to buy the expensive makeup kit
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to toy (with)
to handle thoughtlessly, ignorantly, or mischievously
please don't play with the telephone
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Sam McDowell 7, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025
How to play Fantasy 5 lottery game To play the Fantasy 5 lottery game, grab a California State Lottery playslip — available at any lottery retailer — and select five numbers between 1 and 39.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
The play has been widely produced nationwide and internationally has received productions in London, Manila, Stockholm, Sydney, Tokyo, and others.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play
Verb
Since playing more frequently as a safety, Conner has looked far more comfortable.
—Sam McDowell 7, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025
How to play Fantasy 5 lottery game To play the Fantasy 5 lottery game, grab a California State Lottery playslip — available at any lottery retailer — and select five numbers between 1 and 39.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
There has been some good QB play, however.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
The play has been widely produced nationwide and internationally has received productions in London, Manila, Stockholm, Sydney, Tokyo, and others.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play
Noun
-
Researchers suggested that future studies should include people who actually experience tingles to better understand how ASMR might help with mental health and relaxation.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
-
They’re marketed as a natural way to reduce inflammation, ease muscle pain, and promote relaxation or sleep post-workout.—
Ali Nolan,
Outside,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The show also made a splash at this year’s Primetime Emmys Awards, winning five — including including outstanding drama series, as well as first-time Emmy wins for Noah Wyle (drama lead actor), Katherine LaNasa (drama supporting actress) and Shawn Hatosy (drama guest actor).—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Betty Harford, the actress best known for her roles on the ABC soap opera Dynasty and the CBS legal drama The Paper Chase, has died.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Should the Tigers end up missing a bowl game, the noise will grow much louder.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Then Heat forward Nikola Jovic threw the perfect inbounds pass to find Wiggins for the game-winning alley-oop dunk at the final buzzer.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 Nov. 2025
-
By contrast, Trump’s domestic use of military forces over the past year has more clearly crossed a line by putting the apolitical military in the middle of partisan conflicts.—
Peter D. Feaver,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The New York Colored American reported that some offers of short-term work for Black men — moving livestock to or from Kentucky, for example — were ruses that ended with kidnappings.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Odysseus, the Ithacan warrior who is as celebrated for craftiness as Achilles is for brute strength, devises a clever ruse in which the Greeks place a giant wooden horse outside Troy’s walls and pretend to sail away.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Best Gifts for Teens When looking for gifts for teens, consider products that align with their interests and passions, such as a practical bucket hat inspired by their favorite K-pop show or a fun crochet kit.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
6 Nov. 2025
-
That’s because the next outpost of his Carbone empire is opening on Friday, a place that blends Italian nostalgic elegance with the restaurant’s typical modern flair for fun.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In performances at the Ambassador Theatre in New York City, the musical follows killers Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, two murderesses who use their criminal notoriety to find fame in the Vaudeville circuit.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Directed by Bill Condon, the film is an adaptation of the 1992 musical by Terrence McNally, itself an adaptation of the 1976 play by Manuel Puig.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The damage done by Dumont allowing Harrison to trade Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February is a level of self-infliction that few sports franchises in the modern era have ever executed.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Stream the basketball games in both men’s and women’s sports on top channels like ABC, FOX, NBC, CBS, ESPN, SEC Network, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, FS1, and more.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share