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
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Recent Examples of play up
As The Athletic reported last season, one source briefed on James’ thinking said he was expected to play up to two more NBA seasons, which would take him through the 2025-26 season.
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Jovan Buha, New York Times, 2 May 2025
The actors would be walking a fine line, trading on their star power to get staffers’ attention but playing up their everyday qualities so as not to seem like elites.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2025
Their Modern Dandy Collection is meant to play up accessible luxury.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2025
So many war movies play up the visceral aspects of battle, emphasizing the rush at the expense of context and any human toll attached to the carnage.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play up
Jovan Buha, New York Times, 2 May 2025
The actors would be walking a fine line, trading on their star power to get staffers’ attention but playing up their everyday qualities so as not to seem like elites.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2025
Their Modern Dandy Collection is meant to play up accessible luxury.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2025
So many war movies play up the visceral aspects of battle, emphasizing the rush at the expense of context and any human toll attached to the carnage.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play up
Verb
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The introduction of an additional thread about Roger and Nina’s relationship is sweet, but doesn’t have much time to develop, which only highlights how underused Ejiofor and Kellyman are.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2025
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Featuring a set of still life photography highlighting beach-friendly attire, the collection also includes a fringed suede tote in red that’s launching first in China.—
Denni Hu,
Footwear News,
20 May 2025
Verb
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As the president of World-Voices Organization, Washington also emphasizes the significance of community, especially at a time when many voice actors and creatives feel isolated or vulnerable.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
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Policies to incentivize capital investment in the U.S. shipbuilding industry, and grow the workforce, should be emphasized in the near term.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 May 2025
Verb
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Though Ancelotti didn’t pick Rivaldo often during their time at AC Milan together in the early 2000s, the ex-forward has always been publicly respectful of the Champions League’s most successful coach while stressing there is no bad blood between them.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
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Overtraining can stress the body and lower calorie burn by causing fatigue, inflammation, and changes in neurohormones (chemical substances affecting nerve tissue) that can stall or slow your progress.—
Laura Schober,
Health,
13 May 2025
Verb
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For example, around 2014, the Archive Center posted a blog featuring a William Stiles photograph of an Innu man, Thommy Mestokosho, playing a guitar.—
Nathan Pugh,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 May 2025
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All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors.—
Brad Bourque,
Wired News,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20up. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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