1
as in to recreate
to engage in activity for amusement
told her son that he needed some time to run and play in the yard after his hard work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to perform
to present a portrayal or performance of
played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to pose (as)
to pretend to be (what one is not) in appearance or behavior
stop playing the innocent, because I know that you were behind that prank
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to lounge
to spend time in aimless activity
just played around while we waited for the bus to arrive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to manipulate
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
this is how we're going to play the situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in relaxation
activity engaged in to amuse oneself
it's such a delight to watch the children in their play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drama
a written work in which the story is told through speech and action that is intended to be acted out on stage
we'll be putting on a school play using that stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in game
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously
I didn't mean to insult anyone, for it was all just play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in use
the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose
the host's sense of humor was obviously in play during the awards ceremony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
the guy at the bar made an unusually creative play to get her phone number
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to use
to take unfair advantage of
the candidate played on the voters' prejudices
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as in to exploit
to control or take advantage of by artful, unfair, or insidious means
played upon the customer's vanity to convince her to buy the expensive makeup kit
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to toy (with)
to handle thoughtlessly, ignorantly, or mischievously
please don't play with the telephone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of play
Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
When Pachuca plays either one, the matches are considered derbies.
—Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 8 June 2025
Miami Herald, 8 June 2025
And while there is no arguing with that fact, performances of plays have been recorded onstage before, and are being so now.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for play
Verb
Both of those stars are strong candidates to be world champions in the near future, and if WWE decides to play the waiting game, then Naomi’s Money in the Bank win could be saved for further down the road.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
When Pachuca plays either one, the matches are considered derbies.
—Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 8 June 2025
Noun
The Hurricanes conclude the 2025 season with a 35-27 overall record, including a 15-14 record in Atlantic Coast Conference play, and reached their first Super Regional since 2016.
—Miami Herald, 8 June 2025
And while there is no arguing with that fact, performances of plays have been recorded onstage before, and are being so now.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play
Noun
-
The class encompasses information about exercises to prepare the mother for birth, relaxation and coping techniques, pain control options, labor positioning, induction and C-section basics, recovery and welcoming baby.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 June 2025
-
This is especially significant with the planet of love in your sixth house of daily routines, so consider this all the more reason to request a personal day for some well-deserved rest and relaxation.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
More recently, Joss appeared in two episodes of the Sylvester Stallone mob drama Tulsa King in 2022.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
-
On May 31, the actors took the stage at a packed Paramount Theatre and reminisced about their days filming seven seasons of the drama centered on a New York advertising agency in the 1960s.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
Scottie Scheffler, coming off three wins in his last four starts, had his sixth straight round over par in the U.S. Open with a game that didn’t look familiar.—
Doug Ferguson,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
-
There’s a striped, stretch terry collection of tops and bottoms that are perfect for hitting a soccer game, then heading out to lunch with friends, the partners said.—
Emily M. Olson,
Hartford Courant,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2025
-
Any reductions in opioid use—even small ones—are a positive sign, added Amanda Williams, PhD, professor of clinical health psychology at University College London.—
Kristen Fischer,
Health,
14 June 2025
Noun
-
The Republicans’ billionaire populism has always been a ruse.—
Jim Miller,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 June 2025
-
When Jonny and Dan were alone at camp, the two friends revealed that the entire story was a ruse!—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
Western Conference teams could also get in on the fun.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
She’s also become part of a group of young female tennis players who are having fun with fashion.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Footwear News,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
Lee’s multi-faceted career has included appearing in musicals and plays as well as TV dramas and films.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
-
Criss, 38, received his first Tony Award nomination this year for best performance by an actor in a musical for his performance in Maybe Happy Ending.—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
Grand Slam Track has also embraced sports betting through a deal that made Stats Perform its exclusive global data and betting stats partner.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
12 June 2025
-
Leo’s love for the sport was noted immediately upon his election on May 8, but the question remained: Cubs or White Sox?—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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