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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Again, very possible, but both sides, being Ukraine and Russia, have an incentive to play up her role. — Kelli Wessinger, Vox, 31 Oct. 2026 The Marigolds owner plays up that juxtaposition against what the space used to be and the medical campus directly across the street. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026 However, those Dolphins teams never played up to their potential. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026 Usually, such events are treated as add-ons, with VIPs often paying a premium to see artists play up close after sound check. — Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for play up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for play up

Verb

The Government Accountability Office has highlighted these challenges as the Air Force works toward replacing its aging ICBM fleet.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
Bhartia highlighted that foreign investors put in about 570 billion rupees ($6 billion) into Indian equities in September of 2024, and a month later pulled out 940 billion rupees to chase cheaper Chinese stocks.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of highlight

Verb

As governor, Rockefeller emphasized development of the state's infrastructure, such as roads, sewers and bridges.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
Speaking in Spanish, Leo emphasized the importance of protecting family life and delivered a pointed criticism of both laws.

— Carrie Kahn, NPR, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of emphasize

Verb

Vatican officials told reporters that Pope Leo will have a medical team available to him for the trip but stressed that no special measures are being taken.

— Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026
This test measures the system's video-editing capabilities, which heavily stress both the CPU and GPU.

— Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of stress

Verb

Two races featured candidates affiliated with the local chapter of the conservative organization Moms for Liberty, both of whom trailed their opponents by wide margins in the initial returns.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Eco effort Each room has a glass carafe instead of plastic water bottles and there are filtered water stations on each floor as part of the essentials closets, which feature amenities like towels or sanitary products available to be taken as needed.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026