play 1 of 5

verb (1)

Definition of playnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to perform
to present a portrayal or performance of played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic

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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

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4
as in to lounge
to spend time in aimless activity just played around while we waited for the bus to arrive

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to put
to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event figuring that she had little to lose, she played her last few bucks on the state lottery

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play

2 of 5

noun

ˈplā How to pronounce play (audio)
1
as in relaxation
activity engaged in to amuse oneself it's such a delight to watch the children in their play

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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

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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

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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

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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

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play (on or upon)

3 of 5

verb (2)

as in to use
to take unfair advantage of the candidate played on the voters' prejudices

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play (upon)

4 of 5

verb (3)

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

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play (with)

5 of 5

verb (4)

as in to toy (with)
to handle thoughtlessly, ignorantly, or mischievously please don't play with the telephone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun play differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of play are fun, game, jest, and sport. While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

In what contexts can fun take the place of play?

While the synonyms fun and play are close in meaning, fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

played cards just for fun

How do game and sport relate to one another, in the sense of play?

Game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

When can jest be used instead of play?

While in some cases nearly identical to play, jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

When would sport be a good substitute for play?

Although the words sport and play have much in common, sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone.

teasing begun in sport led to anger

How does the noun play differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of play are fun, game, jest, and sport. While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

In what contexts can fun take the place of play?

While the synonyms fun and play are close in meaning, fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

played cards just for fun

How do game and sport relate to one another, in the sense of play?

Game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

When can jest be used instead of play?

While in some cases nearly identical to play, jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

When would sport be a good substitute for play?

Although the words sport and play have much in common, sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone.

teasing begun in sport led to anger

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of play
Verb
Leave the resort to dine at Sunset Mona Lisa, a neighboring cliffside terrace where Mediterranean-leaning plates play second fiddle to the show-stopping tangerine-pink sunsets. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026 Observant residents such as yourselves will ultimately play a major role in solving this case. —Christa Swanson, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
The Heat, which has needed to qualify for the playoffs through the NBA’s play-in tournament in each of the last three seasons, needs to finish among the East’s top six teams to clinch a playoff spot and avoid the play-in tournament. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026 More than 24 hours after the play, with confetti from the Big East championship celebration still clinging to his suit jacket, Geno Auriemma was thinking about that single basket that had little impact on the result of the team’s 100-51 semifinal victory. —Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play
  1. relaxation
  2. drama
  3. game
  4. use
  5. ruse
  6. fun
  7. musical
  8. sport
Noun
  • Chen follows her into moments of joy and relaxation.
    — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
  • With its love for happy hour and sprawling beaches, the Florida Keys is perhaps the best embodiment of rest and relaxation in the United States.
    — Teaghan Skulszki, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of relaxation
Noun
  • Your careful attention to detail turns tension into workable plans without drama.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Streisand, who played the neurotic, political firebrand Katie Morosky opposite Redford's WASPy Hubbell Gardiner in the 1973 romantic drama, performed a song and delivered a speech honoring him during the Oscars' In Memoriam segment.
    — Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of drama
Noun
  • Two Condron free throws with 31 seconds to go in the third quarter put UCSD ahead 38-37 for the first time since the game’s opening minutes.
    — Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
  • The difference in the game was arguably offensive rebounding, as the Panthers grabbed nine more offensive boards than the Bears.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of game
Noun
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    — KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2026
  • The rooms Each room here channels a new type of contemporary African design—there are no throwaway uses of Ankara cloth to lazily signal to the continent.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of use
Noun
  • As part of the ruse to extract her from Venezuela, Machado wore a disguise to leave the country, violating Venezuela’s then-travel ban, according to the Associated Press.
    — Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Director Ben Affleck also stars in the historical thriller (and a sort of salute to the movies) about the CIA using a fake sci-fi movie as a ruse to rescue diplomats during the Iran hostage crisis.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of ruse
Noun
  • Guests who visit are treated to a fun camp-like experience, albeit a step up from traditional camping, thanks to modern amenities, a restaurant serving up regional specialties crafted with local ingredients, and ADA-compliant rooms so those of all mobility needs can stay.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Penn has five players from Illinois on the team, and that has added an element of fun to the matchup.
    — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of fun
Noun
  • The studio is also developing a new musical from Turning Red director Domee Shi as well as a project called Ono Ghost Market.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
  • This 2012 musical is based on the movie starring the late Whitney Houston and is filled with her hits.
    — Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Definition of musical
Noun
  • It's called Ced’s Corner, from the mind of the American-Statesman’s resident sports columnist, the 2025 NSMA Texas Sportswriter of the Year.
    — Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
  • As March Madness is underway, the debate over whether or not to legalize sports betting in Minnesota is once again a hot topic at the state Capitol.
    — John Lauritsen, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of sport

Phrases Containing play

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plausibly
play
playact
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Cite this Entry

“Play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on play

Nglish: Translation of play for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about play

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