PLAY UP Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

play up

verb

Definition of play up

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

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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 And we’re all being manipulated, which social media plays up. — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026 Dolan in her own statement played up the virtues of a home entertainment release. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 While Robinson's defense played up the fact the ATF was unable to conclusively match the bullet that killed Kirk to the Mauser, analysts couldn't rule it out either. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026 The best scene is likely when the swarm of rats first comes to town, played up for maximum creepiness. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for play up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for play up

Verb

Raftelis highlighted the November caseload for one probation officer who had a total of 753 cases under their supervision.

— Nathan Pilling July 15, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026
The complaint specifically highlights Barros’ current role leading the MCCA — a quasi–state entity in which DCAMM officials sit on its Board of Directors.

— Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 15 July 2026

Definition of highlight

Verb

This is why your manager at work always looks so stressed out.

— Brian Grubb, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Officials from both companies stressed that the successful demonstration highlights the value of open-architecture systems that allow advanced autonomy software to work seamlessly with electronic warfare platforms.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 19 July 2026