play-by-play

Definition of play-by-playnext
as in commentary
a series of explanations or observations on something (as an event) on Monday mornings she usually gives her coworkers a detailed play-by-play on how her weekend date went

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for play-by-play
Noun
  • Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth will have play-by-play and color commentary, with sideline reporting done by Melissa Stark.
    Matt Schooley, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
  • One commentary was a classic example of how to construct a persuasive essay.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Researchers at the Universities of Edinburgh and Cambridge conducted the first large-scale analysis of isotopic and ancient DNA data in cemeteries from early medieval England to assess their migration patterns, according to a press release by the University of Edinburgh.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Having direct knowledge of the volcano provides a much more objective sense of the limits of their analysis, Calò said.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Jan. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Play-by-play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play-by-play. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.

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