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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Jim Reineking, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
How Nvidia plays export whack-a-mole Culture champion.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2025
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 May 2025
Salovey, who is directing the play this year, works with Producing Director Becca Myers, Sarah Price-Keating and longtime La Jollan Ali Viterbi to interview women, craft original monologues based on their stories and bring in professional actresses to portray them.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for play
Verb
Vick had a career-high 540 yards rushing in 1988 and played only four NFL seasons.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
How Nvidia plays export whack-a-mole Culture champion.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
Tannahill’s plays include Late Company and Botticelli in the Fire.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 May 2025
Salovey, who is directing the play this year, works with Producing Director Becca Myers, Sarah Price-Keating and longtime La Jollan Ali Viterbi to interview women, craft original monologues based on their stories and bring in professional actresses to portray them.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play
Noun
-
The combination of the moon’s energy and the therapeutic effects of cannabis can promote relaxation, creativity, and clarity.—
Matt Rozo,
Mercury News,
12 May 2025
-
While China has signaled its willingness to come to the negotiation table with its temporary tariff relaxation, President Xi Jinping is unlikely to concede ground in the long run - particularly when facing a confrontational U.S. administration.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Noun
-
The official Instagram account for the drama series based on Janette Oke's book of the same name shared a tribute to Pelletier on May 3.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
9 May 2025
-
Winston Duke will lead Kingsland, the fifth drama series that Kevin Hart and Charlamagne Tha God‘s audio production company has made with Audible. Duke (Black Panther, Us) will play seasoned investigator Jamison Wright in the thriller, alongside Yara Martinez, who plays Roxanne Wright.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
Goaltender Logan Thompson had a solid game, stopping 31 of 33 shots, but ultimately took the 2-1 loss in overtime.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
-
Beatrix sits Charlie at a poker game with three scary-looking men, warning her to tread carefully.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
To win approval of the drug, however, Celgene selected a use that was already in practice in parts of the world for a small group of patients.—
David Armstrong,
ProPublica,
8 May 2025
-
In the lead is the use of generative AI for writing to customers.—
Tomas Gorny,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
Can Charity, who is not exactly mentally stable, maintain the ruse forever?—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
2 May 2025
-
Despite multiple interviews, background checks, and reference calls, the ruse held until malware activity triggered an alert.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Add a new pattern to mom’s collection with this fun number, done up with shades of blues, pinks, and greens.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
4 May 2025
-
Though fun is a funny word to use considering Thunderbolts is all about depressed anti-heroes looking for a sense of purpose.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
3 May 2025
Noun
-
No list of musicals is complete without a rock opera.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
7 May 2025
-
Rice achieved this elite entertainment grand slam through his work on everything from Broadway musicals to Disney blockbusters.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
6 May 2025
Noun
-
Those scholars stress athletes’ race when looking at participation rates in the two sports that generate the most revenue: football and men’s basketball.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
5 May 2025
-
That doesn't mean the church doesn't consider the practice bad sport.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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