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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 up
There’s plenty to like about both veteran pitchers and reason to believe that competing in a home run-suppressing environment will allow their attributes to play up.
—
Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Yet these playoffs open without a dominant team partly because Buffalo, a preseason title favorite, hasn't consistently played up to that level.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 5 Jan. 2026
But the rookie has mostly played up to his standard since.
—Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 2 Jan. 2026
Cornyn has played up his ties to Trump and says if the president endorses him, the primary effectively is over.
—Gromer Jeffers Jr, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play up
Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Yet these playoffs open without a dominant team partly because Buffalo, a preseason title favorite, hasn't consistently played up to that level.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 5 Jan. 2026
But the rookie has mostly played up to his standard since.
—Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 2 Jan. 2026
Cornyn has played up his ties to Trump and says if the president endorses him, the primary effectively is over.
—Gromer Jeffers Jr, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play up
Verb
-
Professor Alan Woodward, a security expert at the University of Surrey, highlighted the technical feasibility of espionage given the physical layout, The Telegraph reported.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Several top destinations in the Philippines are highlighted in the clip, including Bohol, Boracay, Malcapuya Island in Palawan, Pangasinan and Albay.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Anne Arundel County police said their investigation into the incident is ongoing and emphasized that its officers do not enforce immigration law or conduct ICE operations.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Researchers emphasize that the full scope of the outbreak among elephant seals may be far greater than current numbers suggest.—
Brian Hackney,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Rising temperatures increase evaporation, further stressing a watershed already under pressure from growth and development.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Researchers stress this is only an association, and the benefit may reflect overall diet patterns rather than cheese itself.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Health,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The entertainment rooms can serve as places to enjoy cocktails and billiards (both villas feature Steinway & Sons grand pianos), the dining rooms feel cinematic without being too formal, and the bedroom suites favor comfort rather than flashiness.—
David Morris,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The house features 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Play up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20up. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
