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
Donald Fountain, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
South Gate and South East are set to play in a Friday night Eastern League basketball game.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Feb. 2026
The finished model looks good as part of a Lego Star Wars collection and is robust enough for play.
—Rich Owen, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play
Verb
Collins also has a background in playing traditional classical music.
—Donald Fountain, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
South Gate and South East are set to play in a Friday night Eastern League basketball game.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
Covenant Classical thumps Denton Calvary Covenant Classical improves to 8-0 in TAPPS District 1-3A play after a 77-40 win over Denton Calvary.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Feb. 2026
The finished model looks good as part of a Lego Star Wars collection and is robust enough for play.
—Rich Owen, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play
Noun
-
Before treatments, guests can recline indoors with homemade lavender popcorn or enjoy sitting outside in the charming relaxation space filled with herbs and flowers.—
Asonta Benetti,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Jan. 2026
-
In addition, some herbal teas may help reduce stress, promote relaxation, or improve digestion.—
Ann Pietrangelo,
Verywell Health,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After 11 episodes, Marinaro exited to join the cast of NBC’s groundbreaking crime drama Hill Street Blues.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Before joining Amazon, Lancaster was Alcon Television Group President and head of drama at NBC; Pepper was President of Legendary Television and Head of Television for the Mark Gordon Company.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Chea finished with 11 points for Princeton (18-2, 6-1 Ivy League), which rebounded from a 73-67 loss to Columbia on Friday that ended the Tigers' 15-game win streak.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Parts of the game seemed circus-like, quite honestly.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Norwegian Volunteer Aid has sent salmon-fishing nets that would normally be recycled after use.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The editorial board then throws in the new scare tactic for good measure at the end, claiming that there is some terrifying epidemic of puking, screaming and hospitalizations as the result of THC use (relying on spotty data, none of which has been linked to THC beverages).—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Seth Rollins has been out with a legitimate injury, but after his ruse to win at SummerSlam, anything is possible with him.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Federal agents are currently roaming cities under the ruse of going after murderers and rapists but are instead pulling anyone who doesn't fit their idea of what an American looks like out of cars, homes and schools using thuggish methods.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
A lot of adversity, but a lot of fun.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Beginners get to partake in the fun.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Inspired by Keys’ own upbringing in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, the coming-of-age musical follows Ali, a 17-year-old girl finding her voice through music, mentorship and community.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The audacious musical, from auteur Jacques Audiard, earned Saldaña prizes at the Cannes Film Festival, where the film debuted, as well as a clean sweep of awards season accolades, including a SAG award, BAFTA award, Golden Globe and Critics Choice award.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Banks were urged to expand credit to service-consumption firms and allow eligible companies in culture, tourism, education, sports and household services to raise funds through bond issuance.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Medal reallocations have historically surfaced after doping or other cheating cases, but Chiles’ dispute centered on an apparent error by the International Gymnastics Federation, the sport’s governing body.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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