Synonyms of play
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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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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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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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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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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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
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as in to toy (with)
to handle thoughtlessly, ignorantly, or mischievously
please don't play with the telephone
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of play
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
The Dodgers are in the midst of playing 13 games in 13 days, and Roberts wanted to make sure that the Japanese sensation got a break.
—
CBS News,
1 July 2026
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
2 July 2026
Customers can now purchase packages of tickets to musicals and plays starting at $90 a month.
—
Marc Hershberg,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for play
Verb
In addition to playing for the national team, Mendes has played professionally in France, UAE and Turkey.
—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
The Dodgers are in the midst of playing 13 games in 13 days, and Roberts wanted to make sure that the Japanese sensation got a break.
—
CBS News,
1 July 2026
Noun
After the play, Lasko could not get up and remained on the ground in the outfield.
—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
2 July 2026
Customers can now purchase packages of tickets to musicals and plays starting at $90 a month.
—
Marc Hershberg,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play
Verb
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The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
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These series are designed to entertain and intrigue viewers, while letting advertisers spur purchases and sales,.
Verb
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Over the past three and a half decades, the group has performed across the country, including in Las Vegas and Detroit, while also making history closer to home.
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More than just a sporting event, live music capped the action on the first two nights, with Kaskade headlining Friday and DJs Mustard and Subtronics set to perform Saturday.
Verb
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In the weeks leading up to the June 26 release of the film, men mocked 26-year-old Alcock’s appearance across social media.
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Each sketch was packed with mocking details, such as long red ties, Big Macs and lots and lots of gold, to drive home her point.
Verb
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An old recording studio, still adorned with a grand piano, now exists more as a lounging space.
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There were plush white sofas in almost every room, with guests lounging and kicking up their feet after trekking around the massive space.
Verb
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Prosecutors detailed at least four games in which the defendants are alleged to have schemed to have Beasley manipulate individual game stats for the benefit of gamblers.
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Among the schemes cited by officials was ATM jackpotting, a technically sophisticated form of theft in which criminals manipulate ATMs through malware, network intrusion or physical tampering to trigger unauthorized cash withdrawals.
Verb
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In addition to the fear of deportation, the ruling puts thousands of immigrants at risk of losing their work authorization and their jobs, according to a Haitian-American journalist.
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That lawsuit, in part, accuses City Attorney Miko Brown of pushing airport officials to investigate a charter airline's safety record -- not because of genuine safety concerns, but to create legal cover for a city council vote that put $90 million in federal grant money at risk.
Noun
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Transforming unused outdoor areas creates functional spaces for relaxation and enjoyment.
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Pillars of Greek culture, like an open-air cinema and taverna-inspired dining, anchor the experience, which also offers a standalone spa plus fitness center complete with a Finnish sauna and outdoor yoga deck for extra relaxation.
Noun
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The drama surrounding the Kennedy Center – beyond the performances staged inside – began after Congress approved $258 million to renovate the building.
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Their drama is already stale, and between Nathan’s touchiness and Joe’s mistreatment of women, their fight over who is a better guy, a better seaman, a better worker, a better boyfriend is disengaging at best and aggravating at worst.
Cite this Entry
“Play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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