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
Not in any explicit way—my father wasn’t the cranky, alcoholic ex-minor league baseball player who drove around Los Angeles with his pool cleaning equipment in the back of his Cadillac convertible played by Matthau.
—
Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
Verma played a key role in setting the Proteas a challenging target after the final was delayed by two hours because of rain.
—CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Godchaux joined the Dead in 1971 alongside her husband, Keith, who played keyboards.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025
The new season features McEntire's tavern co-owner Bobbie on the cutting edge of romance with short-order cook Emmett, played by Linn.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Both games were played in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2025
Since then, more baseball has been played, including a phenomenal 2025 postseason capped by one of the great World Series of all time.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
After the game, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said Flagg played through shoulder soreness.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
Trachtenberg, who died in February at age 39, played Buffy’s sister Dawn.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
Verma played a key role in setting the Proteas a challenging target after the final was delayed by two hours because of rain.
—CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Godchaux joined the Dead in 1971 alongside her husband, Keith, who played keyboards.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025
The new season features McEntire's tavern co-owner Bobbie on the cutting edge of romance with short-order cook Emmett, played by Linn.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Both games were played in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2025
Since then, more baseball has been played, including a phenomenal 2025 postseason capped by one of the great World Series of all time.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
After the game, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said Flagg played through shoulder soreness.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
Trachtenberg, who died in February at age 39, played Buffy’s sister Dawn.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played
Verb
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But at least these red carpet looks can be readily recreated at home.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
-
This started life as just four wheels and was entirely recreated over the course of 18 years by students at the Wilhelm-Maybach School in Heilbronn, Germany.—
Howard Walker,
Robb Report,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Wearing a Tom Ford tuxedo, the prince posed on the green carpet alongside singers Mendes and Minogue, who both performed at his late mother Queen Elizabeth II's 92nd birthday London concert in 2018.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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That was when the practice began of parents withholding food from children who performed badly on their pre-exams as an incentive to study harder.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Tate Sandell is getting mocked for it.—
Alex Valdes,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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Saturday Night Live‘s Weekend Update mocked Donald Trump‘s multiple White House renovations, as well his inability to be normal even while giving out candy to trick or treaters.—
William Vaillancourt,
Rolling Stone,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In that pic, Fletcher lounged on the end, giving a thumbs up.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
23 Oct. 2025
-
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
Verb
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Hubbarth handled it pretty well, asking a couple of questions on the issues and producing a little news.—
Andrew Marchand,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Caliendo handled the rest of the game, allowing no quarterback pressures on 32 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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China has been building the world’s largest navy, launching high-tech warships at a frenetic pace under the leadership of Xi Jinping, putting pressure on the United States and its Pacific allies to keep pace.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
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In addition to Hermitage Farm, Laura Lee Brown and Wilson, who also founded the 21c Museum Hotel chain, have put more than 2,400 acres of land in agriculture conservation easements in Oldham County.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Much of that extra time was spent setting the stage for the next performance, but there was plenty to keep guests entertained between takes.—
Patrick Gomez,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
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In between performances, while the crew was breaking down and setting up on stage, there was a lovely MC keeping the crowd entertained.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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During the late-night comedy sketch series, Teller portrayed former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo alongside Shane Gillis as Curtis Sliwa and Ramy Youssef as Zohran Mamdani, in a mock New York City mayoral race debate for the Cold Open.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
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Sometimes, the expiration of a CBA is portrayed as the start of a labor dispute, but that’s often not true.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Played.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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