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
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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
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
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Indiana and Miami, who will play for the national championship next week, started players with 3.8 years of college experience — on average — in their College Football Playoff semifinal games.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
But the intermission that the set change demands seems like an intrusion in a play that could do without the realistic detail.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play
Verb
And while her time at Baylor and in the WNBA will be featured, her seven years playing in Russia leading up to her arrest sits center stage.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Indiana and Miami, who will play for the national championship next week, started players with 3.8 years of college experience — on average — in their College Football Playoff semifinal games.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
Noun
To wit, 73 of this year’s regular-season games were decided by three points or less, and 62 games were decided in the final two minutes of play, per NFL stats.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
But the intermission that the set change demands seems like an intrusion in a play that could do without the realistic detail.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play
Noun
-
Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises.—
Laura Dorwart,
Verywell Health,
7 Jan. 2026
-
According to Amex, what unites these destinations is a desire for meaningful travel—whether through first-time adventures, cultural immersion, or settings that balance relaxation with a strong sense of place.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
6 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
-
The Wild answered quickly, converting on their first power play when Kaprizov scored for the third time in the past two games.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Football heads on social media couldn’t help but notice the name, Karene Reid, on the Denver roster ahead of Sunday’s AFC title game between the Patriots and Broncos.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The reason this is especially tough to consider is that AI has a dual-use effect.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Human trials are expected next as the technology moves closer to real-world use.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
25 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 31 Jan. 2026.
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