PLAY OUT Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

play out

verb

Definition of play out

as in to spend

to make complete use of we've finally played out the leftovers from that huge holiday meal

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 out Window closing to find survivors These are the kinds of scenes playing out across La Guaira state, with people milling around in the streets after being left homeless, uncertain of what to do next. — Fernando Narro Roman, NPR, 28 June 2026 Cook, who has remained in the post while the case plays out, called the allegations a pretext to oust her over monetary policy differences. — Will Dunham, USA Today, 28 June 2026 How does this play out in the employment market? — Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 These same dynamics are now playing out in litigation over social media and youth mental health. — Alex Smolak, STAT, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for play out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for play out

Verb

His campaign spent about $1 million to air two versions of the same ad, lower than the $4 million amount that was previously reported.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
Compared to Geese, who spent years touring and releasing records before finally striking gold, Heathers has taken the sort of industry fast-track that makes conspiracy theorists start rolling out their corkboards and thumbtacks.

— Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of spend

Verb

Some alluvial and floodplain soils can drain well and appear quite dry, yet still meet Connecticut’s definition of an inland wetland.

— Dr. Avishesh Neupane, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026
Fuel that smells sour, appears darker than usual, or shows signs of separation should be drained from the lawn mower and disposed of properly, instead of combined with new fuel.

— Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of drain

Verb

This heats the air dramatically, expanding it and exhausting the hot gas at a much higher velocity than normal.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
That message resonated with Israelis exhausted by years of war, among them Hila Asayag, 49, whose son has served in Gaza and Lebanon.

— Lior Soroka, Washington Post, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of exhaust

Verb

Under these conditions, lower and middle income households are experiencing pronounced strain, forcing some low income families to draw down savings to cover basic living expenses.

— , CNBC, 30 Oct. 2026
The advanced weapons most in demand and whose stockpiles have been drawn down are defensive missile interceptors, such as those launched by the Army's Patriot and THAAD systems, with a single Patriot interceptor costing millions of dollars.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of draw down

Verb

Having used up plenty of relievers, manager Pat Murphy decided to keep impending Cy Young Award winner Jacob Misiorowski in the dugout and go with Shane Drohan.

— Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
The bar also will provide an outlet to use up inventory left over from Idaho Tipsy Trailers events.

— Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of use up

Verb

By controlling how densely cancer-targeting proteins are displayed on the virus, the team developed vaccine particles that significantly reduced tumor development in mice.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
Research suggests standard time better aligns with our circadian rhythm, or internal clock, and reduces the risk of health complications.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

The health risks posed by lead depend on factors such as a person's age, how the lead is absorbed and how long a person is exposed.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Light energy enters through a primary, high-energy pathway where sunlight is strongly absorbed.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of absorb

Browse Nearby Words

play (on or upon)

play out

plays

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Style

“Play out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20out. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of play out

verb

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