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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of play up
But both have been playing up to their usual standards through the first two rounds.
—
Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
The Disney presentation shrewdly played up franchises and IP more than numbers.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
That’s saying something, considering that team also had another player who was playing up a year: Michael Misa.
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Matthew Liberatore is finally playing up to his potential.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for play up
Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
The Disney presentation shrewdly played up franchises and IP more than numbers.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
That’s saying something, considering that team also had another player who was playing up a year: Michael Misa.
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Matthew Liberatore is finally playing up to his potential.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for play up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play up
Verb
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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez highlighted that the vast majority—94%—of these visas were granted in connection with real estate investments in already strained housing markets, such as Madrid and Barcelona.—
Alex Ledsom,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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The Full Moon in Sagittarius on June 11 could highlight your desire for expansion, travel, or a new way of thinking.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 June 2025
Verb
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Despite the optics, Kang has emphasized to fans and players that the Spirit was her first investment in sports, which carries weight.—
Emily Olsen,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
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The author emphasizes Milk’s service as a Korean War veteran and his legacy as a civil rights pioneer who faced discrimination both in the military and as an openly gay elected official[1][4].—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
Verb
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CTOs Make Mistakes It cannot be stressed enough how individuals in organizations need input from infrastructure managers about the most cost-effective solutions that will maximize value.—
Sergey Avdyushkin,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Emergency officials stressed the importance of monitoring weather updates and local alerts.—
Barney Henderson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
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The family friendly festival from noon to 6:30 p.m. will feature bands performing Americana, rock, hip hop, blues and folk.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2025
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The 800-acre site in Rockingham’s Energy Way Industrial Park will feature 20 buildings ranging in size between 200,000 to 225,000 square feet, as reported by Business North Carolina.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20up. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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