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
Yet another hopes to make the best of a bad trade policy, and by way of justification, is also playing up the rivalry with China.
—
Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 9 May 2025
Florida will play up to three games of the best-of-7 series against the Edmonton Oilers on home ice at Sunrise’s Amerant Bank Arena — Game 3 on Monday, June 9; Game 4 on Thursday, June 12; and Game 6 (if necessary) on Tuesday, June 17.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
China's state media outlets have long played up gun violence in the U.S. and portrayed America as a dangerous place.
—CBS News, 23 May 2025
Chinese state media has long played up gun violence in the U.S. and portrayed America as a dangerous place.
—Rajesh Roy, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for play up
Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 9 May 2025
Florida will play up to three games of the best-of-7 series against the Edmonton Oilers on home ice at Sunrise’s Amerant Bank Arena — Game 3 on Monday, June 9; Game 4 on Thursday, June 12; and Game 6 (if necessary) on Tuesday, June 17.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
China's state media outlets have long played up gun violence in the U.S. and portrayed America as a dangerous place.
—CBS News, 23 May 2025
Chinese state media has long played up gun violence in the U.S. and portrayed America as a dangerous place.
—Rajesh Roy, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for play up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play up
Verb
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Don’t bury them on the back page — highlight them, elevate the ingredients, partner with quality brands and price them accordingly.—
Rebecca Styn,
Rolling Stone,
13 June 2025
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Rivers of ink have been spilled in the last few days highlighting various perspectives on immigration raids, protests and riots in Los Angeles and other cities.—
Agustina Vergara Cid,
Oc Register,
13 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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Tony stressed that security-camera footage shows the deputies used an appropriate amount of force in controlling Caputo.—
Isabel Rivera,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Her pixie cut hair was styled in a sleek look with makeup elements featuring bold brows, lined eyes and a glossy lip.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
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 17 Jun. 2025.
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