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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in performed
to present a portrayal or performance of
played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
as in lounged
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 handled
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
this is how we're going to play the situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of played
Curry played in five games after surgery to repair a broken second metacarpal.
—
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 10 May 2026
Nobody had seen a second round playoff game played in Minnesota in more than a decade.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 10 May 2026
Huntington Beach battled in the first two sets but wound up being swept by Mira Costa and outside hitter Mateo Fuerbringer, who played a near-perfect match in the 25-22, 25-19, 25-13 victory over Saturday at Huntington Beach High School.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
We had been undefeated in the state and played an incredibly hard schedule.
—Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 10 May 2026
The Chargers’ length played a factor throughout the match, especially on the front line.
—Dan Rios, Daily News, 10 May 2026
The game became physical as play went on and the Legacy played tight defense down the stretch to earn the tie.
—Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 10 May 2026
Any number of other Knicks played the hero, willing the team to a gutsy victory, showing sudden grit after so many easy blowouts.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 May 2026
The teams played twice in the regular season with each winning once.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 10 May 2026
Nobody had seen a second round playoff game played in Minnesota in more than a decade.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 10 May 2026
Huntington Beach battled in the first two sets but wound up being swept by Mira Costa and outside hitter Mateo Fuerbringer, who played a near-perfect match in the 25-22, 25-19, 25-13 victory over Saturday at Huntington Beach High School.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
We had been undefeated in the state and played an incredibly hard schedule.
—Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 10 May 2026
The Chargers’ length played a factor throughout the match, especially on the front line.
—Dan Rios, Daily News, 10 May 2026
The game became physical as play went on and the Legacy played tight defense down the stretch to earn the tie.
—Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 10 May 2026
Any number of other Knicks played the hero, willing the team to a gutsy victory, showing sudden grit after so many easy blowouts.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 May 2026
The teams played twice in the regular season with each winning once.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played
Verb
-
Adding to the accuracy of the show, the OnlyFans interface was graphically recreated to use on-screen, down to the chatboxes Margo opens when DMing creators, looking for tips on how to expand her fanbase.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
9 May 2026
-
Meredith and Nick recreated their first encounter for the surprise proposal.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Some of the greatest arias in the genre, performed flawlessly by Jonathan Tetelman.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Blue Origin New Glenn mission on payload Blue Ring’s first mission with initial injection into Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO), with additional services performed in Geostationary Orbit (GEO).—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Strickland then mocked Chimaev for refusing to fight in the parking lot.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
The burger became a viral sensation after Kempczinski posted a video of himself taking a nibble from one and was mocked for his tentative bite.—
Dee-Ann Durbin,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
But most of the action was in the foot-deep children’s pool, where Petra joined babies and kids riding mini slides into the warm water, as parents lounged unselfconsciously.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2026
-
As Polis prepared to sign the bill, five black-and-white, 13-week-old puppies — Benedict, Daphne, Violet, Eloise and Hyacinth — lounged, climbed over one another, leaned into a reporter’s mic and cuddled in a pair of pens on the Capitol foyer’s floor.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That’s similar to how the Fire-Rescue Department handled a highly critical 2023 audit of how the city coordinates brush management on city property, including in parks, wildlands and canyons.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
In Islamic thought, wealth is understood as a trust from God, to be handled with care and never mistaken for proof of divine endorsement.—
Boutayna Chokrane,
Pitchfork,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
If a drug retails for $100 and a hospital can buy it for $60, then charges the patient or their insurance the full $100 price, the hospital then has $40 to put toward other expenses.—
Dené K. Dryden,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
-
Neto expanded and was able to put a ball into right field.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Frank Sinatra entertained at his Twin Palms estate; Marilyn Monroe retreated here between films, and Elvis and Priscilla Presley honeymooned in an A-frame hideaway steps from downtown.—
Christina Pérez,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
-
The longtime veteran figured to only take snaps for the G-Men barring an injury to the young phenom in Dart, but at the very least, he is surely entertained by his play.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
While Raman portrayed herself as the focus of attacks from both opponents, Bass’ campaign rejected that framing as a distraction from her debate performance and City Council record.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
8 May 2026
-
The villain-combo movie would put the breathing-apparatus Batman baddie, Bane, back on screen for his first appearance since 2012’s Christopher Nolan-directed The Dark Knight Rises, then portrayed by Tom Hardy.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Played.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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