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.
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Recent Examples of play
Brian Hall, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
The Braves have a play-in game for the state playoffs on Friday against Corona del Mar on Friday.
—Dan Rios, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 18 Feb. 2026
The hour-long cinema experience brings together eight episodes from across the show’s three series, united around themes of play, friendship and family.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play
Verb
The two winners will play Saturday in Moorhead.
—Brian Hall, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
The Braves have a play-in game for the state playoffs on Friday against Corona del Mar on Friday.
—Dan Rios, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
All of those showed against the Dragons, standing out in an otherwise team effort that helped Milton outshoot Duxbury 26-16 and lead for all but two minutes of play.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 18 Feb. 2026
The hour-long cinema experience brings together eight episodes from across the show’s three series, united around themes of play, friendship and family.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play
Noun
-
The outdoor relaxation area boasts an antique sugar copper fountain and lush gardens.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The food, the fireplace, the drink, the company, the relaxation — even non-skiers can appreciate a moveable feast of the senses, and the scene.—
David G. Allan Feb 15,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Albarn is also composing a score and songs for Artificial, director Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming comedy-drama film about the rise of AI technology.—
Simon Vozick-Levinson,
Rolling Stone,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The Internet was set alight with Brooklyn's innocent public display of affection weeks after the budding chef aired his family drama in a manifesto posted online.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For the next five years, only one game per season was played in London, with many owners skeptical about sacrificing revenue from home games in a market dominated by the Premier League.—
Tom Chitty,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2026
-
He has not been formally charged with cheating by World Curling, which does not use video to review game play.—
STEVE DOUGLAS,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Democrats are calling for judicial warrants before agents can enter private property, a ban on ICE agents wearing face masks, requiring the use of body cameras and new laws for use-of-force standards.—
Justin Gomez,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The pervasive use of less lethal tactics, caught on video and ricocheting across social media, began in late spring and summer in California and Oregon, expanded into Chicago in the fall and reached a crescendo in Minneapolis, where officers shot and killed two protesters last month.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While the ruse was going, Schreiner lashed out at anyone who was skeptical.—
Kenneal Patterson,
Vanity Fair,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In a ruse that, for lack of a more astute reference point here, feels very Don Draper-coded, Rose poses as the dear male soldier who died next to her in battle, figuring why waste the deeds to perfectly decent land, or his name.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Coach Rick Hirtensteiner said Young dealt with the pressure by just trying to have fun, and Sheffer, playing with his younger brother, Ryan, a starting shortstop, appeared to do just that Wednesday.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Since 1900, the club has served youths ages 5 to 18 through high-quality programs in a safe, supportive environment where young people can learn, grow and have fun.—
Will Richmond,
The Providence Journal,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In this case, the original musical can transition easily to a concert staging.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The art of adapting scores is no longer honored at the Oscars, but Williams' take on Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick's iconic musical is a strong argument for why it should be brought back.—
Alex Galbraith,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Spaniard believes that race weekend formats should be adjusted too, to allow drivers to prepare for the sport part of the weekend.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The spa Treatments can be booked in the wellness suite, and outdoor sports are championed over indoor gym time.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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