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
Want to play up its moody look?
—
Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025
Also, Tua Tagovailoa was told this week to stop thinking and just play and the team practiced playing up tempo more.
—Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
And officials have long looked to play up the ills of other countries, especially the US, to boost their own image for domestic and, increasingly, international audiences.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Dave Franco, in glasses, plays up the grinning geek factor a bit too much.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play up
Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025
Also, Tua Tagovailoa was told this week to stop thinking and just play and the team practiced playing up tempo more.
—Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
And officials have long looked to play up the ills of other countries, especially the US, to boost their own image for domestic and, increasingly, international audiences.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Dave Franco, in glasses, plays up the grinning geek factor a bit too much.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play up
Verb
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Both Mamdani and Cuomo have highlighted their opposition to the President on the campaign trail.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
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The research team also highlighted that the system passed all tests.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Democrats running for governor in Virginia and New Jersey are emphasizing cost-of-living issues and other concerns that continue to be top of mind for voters, and tying those issues to Trump.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
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Kusano, via video message, emphasized her happiness at dedicating time to research for her next project.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Researchers also stressed that the synergistic effect of K+ and C3N4 co-intercalation lowers the energy barrier, reduces the electrostatic interaction, and enhances the kinetics and structural stability.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that controllers are becoming increasingly overworked and financially stressed because of the shutdown.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Fujian is China’s third and most advanced aircraft carrier, featuring electromagnetic catapults that can launch three aircraft types, according to Chinese state media.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Opening in spring 2026, the exhibition will feature works that invite visitors to engage directly, transforming everyday actions into powerful expressions of peace and connection.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20up. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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