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
Admittedly, a low bar, but actors Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood were really playing up their true love for one another in the press.
—
Eliana Dockterman, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Something Beautiful had a clear cinematic focus, so Cyrus and Kenneth then zeroed in on archival fashions—pulling vintage designs from labels such as Thierry Mugler, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Bob Mackie to play up the album’s ethereal and otherworldly feel.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2025
China's domestic political situation also provides an important incentive to play up this narrative.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Managers play up cultural similarities to promote camaraderie on the shop floor.
—Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play up
Eliana Dockterman, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Something Beautiful had a clear cinematic focus, so Cyrus and Kenneth then zeroed in on archival fashions—pulling vintage designs from labels such as Thierry Mugler, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Bob Mackie to play up the album’s ethereal and otherworldly feel.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2025
China's domestic political situation also provides an important incentive to play up this narrative.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Managers play up cultural similarities to promote camaraderie on the shop floor.
—Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play up
Verb
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Pershing Square hedge fund owner, Bill Ackman, highlights how uncertainty freezes business expansion and stifles job creation.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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Pareek’s fantastic results highlight the importance of close collaboration between hardware and software teams for delivering products that are not only functional but also efficient and scalable.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Council members emphasized that maternal mortality is deeply personal and preventable.—
Oumou Fofana,
Essence,
22 Apr. 2025
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The partnership also emphasizes Amiri’s growth and focus on the Latin American region.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Despite the rising rate of PPD potentially reflecting improved screening and diagnosis practices, the study stresses the importance of developing and implementing interventions to prevent the condition.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
1 May 2025
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Snacks are easiest to take off a shopping list As consumers are watching their finances and stressed about their budgets, the snack category is the easiest to drop, said Chris Costagli, vice president and food insights lead for NielsenIQ (NIQ).—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Lead with belief, not features Your strongest opinions create immediate connection with the right audience.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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The halftime show featured a medley of songs from the record, featuring cameos from Shaboozey and Malone, and continued on to garner 27 million U.S. viewers on Netflix.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20up. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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