played

past tense of play
1
2
3
as in mocked
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
5
6
as in 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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 played The offense played 69 snaps, the defense 53. Matt Barrows, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2025 While Gandy played twice in the state of California during his three seasons with the Falcons, there’s an insufficient linkage between the Falcons and California for purposes of workers’ comp coverage. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2025 That’s more like for Sergio Garcia, who only played twice this season and is now set to lose his DP World Tour status. Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025 The cumulative weight of all those moments that make up an ordinary life is the subject of this elegiac macro-miniaturist portrait of an itinerant worker in the early 1900s Pacific Northwest, played by Joel Edgerton in what might be the best work of his career. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025 Mahomes played quarterback for Texas Tech before being drafted as the 10th pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025 More recently, Jovovich played the villainous Blood Queen in the 2019 Hellboy reboot. Danny Horn, EW.com, 27 Jan. 2025 Three times the Eagles have played two games in one day. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2025 Vampire Weekend will headline, sharing the bill with TV on the Radio, Bloc Party, Empire of the Sun, and, most notably, a reunion of Jenny Lewis’ beloved emo band Rilo Kiley, who haven’t played a show together since 2008. Walden Green, Pitchfork, 27 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played
Verb
  • In the trailer, Bettany walks up to a white mansion and is greeted by human servants who are really just recreated AI programs.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Its artwork, meanwhile, sees its author posing in a swarm of paparazzi and was recreated for the poster of Williams’ recent biopic, Better Man.
    Sophie Williams, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Although the Dodgers’ bullpen performed well to get 10 outs after Glasnow was done.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The Dodgers, for their part, have performed quite well despite their primary offensive engine not firing properly.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Their mother began a relationship with a swaggering alcoholic, their future stepfather, who mocked Scott for being soft.
    Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Dick Van Dyke’s cockney in Mary Poppins is still mocked, but fondly.
    Remy Blumenfeld, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As the action took place, the fashionable crowd lounged on the beautifully landscaped outdoor dining area, grazing on the pies and taking pictures of the sea.
    Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Throughout their trip, Gomez and her friends lounged on the beach and dressed up in matching sweatsuits.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Plus, filing complaints with the Department of Homeland Security was likely to go nowhere because the office that once handled them had been dismantled.
    J. David McSwane, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Democrats say health care protections must be preserved, while Republicans say funding and policy should be handled separately.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Pair it with tights, knee-high boots, and a denim jacket for an effortlessly put together look.
    Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • This could further drive up longtime residents’ property tax bills and put them at risk of losing their homes to the land bank eventually, too.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The kitten is enjoying the company of his two cats who are keeping him entertained and teaching him how to be a feline.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Interactive and engaging toys to keep your pets entertained and active.
    Jessie Quinn, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Fey also made a cameo to impersonate Kristi Noem in the cold open, while Poehler portrayed Pam Bondi.
    McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2025
  • It is portrayed as the exit of an escape tunnel from the home of Bob, the character played by Leonardo diCaprio.
    Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Played.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on played

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!