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

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Recent Examples of play up Cox, who grew up a fan of Dodgers utilityman Chris Taylor, is a primary outfielder but has impressed during his brief time at second base, making several difficult plays up the middle. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026 Forty-three football-playing schools are playing up in class this season. — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Cabrera possesses the type of stuff that would likely play up out of the bullpen. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026 Weathers, meanwhile, worked in relief earlier in his career, and there’s a case to be made that his stuff could play up even more in short bursts. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for play up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for play up

Verb

In a statement posted on social media, Obama highlighted Parton’s humble roots, colossal impact in music and Hollywood, and her philanthropic work.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
The Property Masters Guild aims to highlight and elevate the craft of the Property Master by raising awareness, fostering collaboration among craft artisans, educating its members and inspiring future generations of Property Masters.

— Isabelle Farina, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of highlight

Verb

At a high level of abstraction, some scholars emphasize the multiplicity itself as a key aspect of Hinduism.

— Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Since Tiffany’s attacks began, Crowley has moved in Hong’s general direction, emphasizing his requirements—using exclusively renewable energy to power new data centers, building them with union labor—for developers to receive the tax breaks.

— Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of emphasize

Verb

Community health workers also stress AI's inability to build trust and human connection, especially in underserved areas.

— Lisa Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Responding to journalists' questions, Macron urged the United States not to hoard cutting-edge AI technologies for itself and stressed that countries must engage in global cooperation on AI regulation.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of stress

Verb

The black patent leather high heel sandal featured a prominent, voluminous pompom and fringe trim at the heel.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
Yamazaki returns as director for a film Toho and Gkids describe as featuring more extensive effects work than its predecessor, while keeping its post-World War II Japan setting grounded in the experiences of its characters.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026