Synonyms of played

played

verb

past tense of play

1

as in recreated

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

• recreated
• entertained
• frolicked
• toyed
• rollicked
• amused
• joked
• sported
• relaxed
• romped
• cavorted
• rested
• disported
• dabbled
• delighted
• dallied
• teased
• pleased
• skylarked
• gamboled
• frisked
• trifled
• diverted
• loafed
• idled
• jested
• dawdled
• puttered (around)
• fiddled (around)
• hung
• screwed around
• slacked (off)
• lounged (around or about)
• hung about
• goldbricked
• messed around
• bummed (around)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• worked
• struggled
• labored
• toiled
• plugged (away)
• strove
• strained
• slaved
• plodded
• sweat
• drudged

2

as in performed

to present a portrayal or performance of

played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic

Synonyms & Similar Words

• performed
• portrayed
• interpreted
• represented
• did
• depicted
• acted
• impersonated
• rendered
• enacted
• role-played
• dramatized
• acted out
• pantomimed
• mimicked
• imitated
• underplayed
• overplayed
• masqueraded
• mimed
• took on
• posed (as)
• clowned
• aped
• playacted
• hammed
• costarred
• starred (in)
• overacted
• coacted

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

• mocked
• portrayed
• imitated
• posed (as)
• acted
• impersonated
• masqueraded (as)
• personated
• parodied
• copied
• mimicked
• mimed
• performed
• aped
• travestied
• monkeyed

4

as in lounged

to spend time in aimless activity

just played around while we waited for the bus to arrive

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lounged
• idled
• loafed
• doodled
• tinkered
• trifled
• puttered (around)
• fiddled (around)
• pottered (around)
• fribbled
• hung about
• fooled around
• goofed (around)
• messed around
• kicked around
• monkeyed (around)
• dawdled
• lolled
• hung (around or out)
• dallied
• horsed around
• dillydallied
• clowned (around)
• diddled (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• set (to)
• settled (down)
• buckled (down)
• knuckled down

5

as in handled

to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently

this is how we're going to play the situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• handled
• addressed
• managed
• manipulated
• treated
• took
• negotiated
• fielded
• swung
• maneuvered
• hacked
• contended (with)
• grappled (with)
• pulled
• came to grips with
• coped (with)
• engineered
• had a grip on
• carried out
• controlled
• steered
• got off
• regulated
• directed
• carried off
• guided
• jockeyed
• brought off
• responded (to)
• commanded
• finessed
• reacted (to)
• ran
• micromanaged

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fumbled
• bungled
• muffed
• mishandled
• botched
• messed (up)
• goofed (up)
• scamped
• foozled
• loused up

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

• put
• bet
• wagered
• gambled
• laid
• offered
• staked
• went
• speculated
• ventured
• bade
• chanced
• adventured
• jeopardized
• imperiled
• endangered
• hazarded

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of played

Those emotions certainly were appropriate following Miami’s closer-than-expected 15-10 loss in Minnesota on Sunday, a game in which the defense played valiantly and Ollie Gordon reached the 100-yard mark. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026

The reporting on such matters is well-established, in the stories of Wall Street Journal journalist Jeff Horwitz (played here by Jeremy Allen White) and many others. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

Inside, a montage of moments from Northwestern University’s long path to rebuilding its football stadium played across the video screens. — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

Reviewing how well the Tigers played was a much better option. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026

But rather than focusing strictly on the men of the Trask and Hamilton families, this adaptation shifts the spotlight to Cathy Ames (played by Florence Pugh, also an executive producer). — Max Gao, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026

The Dawson’s Creek reunion also included Mary-Margaret Humes, who played Dawson’s (Van Der Beek) mom on the show. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2026

In the last presidential election in 2022, women played a decisive role in handing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva a narrow victory over Flávio Bolsonaro’s father, former President Jair Bolsonaro. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026

The 30-year-old actress, who was named the Chinese brand ambassador for Kors last March, made her acting debut at 10 and has played numerous roles in historical, fantasy and romantic dramas. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing played

• played out