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 Prior to the new eligibility model, football players could play up to four regular-season games and still preserve a year of eligibility. — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026 Under the old system, football players could play up to four regular seasons plus postseason games in a redshirt year without the season counting against the four-season cap. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 July 2026 Every team wants position players who are athletic, project to play up the middle, excel on defense and more. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 9 July 2026 Dolan in her own statement played up the virtues of a home entertainment release. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for play up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for play up

Verb

These features, offering rewrite, proofread, and summarize options, appear as a contextual pop-up when text is highlighted.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Instead, most Republicans stood firm in a critical hearing with an administration waging a hugely unpopular war, while Democrats highlighted the gap between its premature victory laps and the current stalemate.

— Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of highlight

Verb

These crises emphasize that public health demands sustained public trust, transparent communication, robust investment in surveillance, and strong global partnerships to proactively address infectious disease threats.

— Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
He’s also expected to deliver more than a straightforward genre film, emphasizing the social realism aspects and sensory prose of the novel.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 24 July 2026

Definition of emphasize

Verb

Wallace stressed that faith does not eliminate the need for strategy and that vision must be accompanied by disciplined work.

— Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
In addition, stressed ecosystems, such as industrial ports, are highly vulnerable to bioinvasion because disturbances allow for fast-growing opportunistic species to establish themselves, the paper states.

— Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 25 July 2026

Definition of stress

Verb

The film’s massive ensemble cast also features Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Samantha Morton, Lupita Nyong’o, Elliott Page, Himesh Patel, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, Corey Hawkins, Mia Goth, James Remar and the voice of Bill Irwin.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
The second floor will feature a gallery to showcase the history of race relations in North Texas, honoring Rouse's memory with a permanent gallery, interpretive exhibitions, and educational programming.

— Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026