as in to spend
to make complete use of
we've finally played out the leftovers from that huge holiday meal
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of play out
The extraordinary drama played out overnight on a holiday weekend and vaulted from tarmacs in Texas to a courtroom in Washington.
—
Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2025
Here's how the beef played out this week in the White House.
—Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
The chapter plays out almost like an extended scene out of a Mike Leigh film.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
On the runway, planes sat with engines idling, ground crews making final preparations as if departures could come at any moment — all as the courtroom battle played out hundreds of miles away in Washington.
—Valerie Gonzalez, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play out
Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2025
Here's how the beef played out this week in the White House.
—Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
The chapter plays out almost like an extended scene out of a Mike Leigh film.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
On the runway, planes sat with engines idling, ground crews making final preparations as if departures could come at any moment — all as the courtroom battle played out hundreds of miles away in Washington.
—Valerie Gonzalez, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play out
Verb
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Joabe Barbosa, Matthew Plese and Omar Yousaf spent the day riding the entire MARTA rail system in an attempt to complete the full route in roughly three hours.—
Kaley Fedko,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Visitors can spend their entire trip switching off between the two, but be sure to take some time to explore the rocky cove beaches called calas that have made Costa Blanca famous.—
Liz Provencher,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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His first time on air, and another chance to change how viewers consume the country’s most popular sport, was only minutes away.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
10 Jan. 2026
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When possible, consume vitamin A through nutritious foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, liver, and eggs instead of dietary supplements to optimize your health.—
Megan Nunn,
Verywell Health,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Check Drainage and Irrigate Poorly draining soil causes root rot and plant failure.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
15 Jan. 2026
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That organization often charges more for its services than county public guardians, which along with fees billed by lawyers working on the cases can quickly drain a person’s savings, the Tribune found.—
Christy Gutowski,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Others were exhausted from hearing about some of the wealthiest people on the planet barely holding it together.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
15 Jan. 2026
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But the Beige Book suggested that time may now be nigh, with businesses having exhausted their pre-tariff stockpiles and now have a need to pass the cost increases to consumers.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, the state has continued to draw down on its reserves to make its budgets work.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
13 Jan. 2026
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Infected for generations, communities in poverty are drawn down into survival mode.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Traditionally, bakers in European countries used up all their fats and sugar ahead of the Lenten season since religious observances forbid indulgences during the season.—
Jelissa Burns,
Freep.com,
6 Jan. 2026
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Starting in a small section at the top of a wall, wipe the wallpaper using up-and-down strokes.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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During his January 2025 State of the State address, Little called for tax cuts that could reduce the state’s general fund by about $100 million.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
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To reduce sizes, builders are going back to open floor plans with fewer hallways.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Due to the inability to absorb adequate nutrients, the body might become malnourished.—
Pamela Assid Woughter,
Verywell Health,
9 Jan. 2026
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Unlike glossy black, this effect absorbs light in a subtle way, creating a richer, more modern visual texture.—
Andrea Carbajal,
Glamour,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Play out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20out. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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