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 My model is concentrated on the last 24 rounds played, and includes driving distance, strokes gained off the tee, strokes gained around the green, strokes gained putting, and strokes gained on par 3s longer than 200 yards. Dennis Esser, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 View this post on Instagram Alyson Stoner Alyson Stoner, who also played Kairi in Kingdom Hearts, shared an emotional, heartfelt video mourning the loss of Panettiere. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026 Krout has played a key role in helping launch and grow Vault’s comedy talent and touring department. Denise Petski, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026 The screens played footage which gave a behind the scenes look at the development process and underneath them was a plinth with a model of the attraction standing on it. Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Jordan wore the present jersey during Game 3 of the Finals—the first game played in Chicago after the series was tied 1–1—during which the Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz 96 to 54. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2026 Stearns grew up in the Cincinnati suburb of Mason, where the tournament is played every year. Jeff Wallner, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026 Etzel said the controversy surrounding COVID vaccines and vaccine mandates has played a role in fueling skepticism. Adisa Hargett-Robinson, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026 Indiana All-Star Caitlin Clark wasn’t surprised by how the Fever played or White’s pregame reaction. CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played
Verb
  • Volunteers then partially recreated Warhol’s studio protocol by applying urine to the mockups with pipettes.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Identify where information enters, where judgment is required, where decisions are delayed and where the same data is recreated.
    Thomas Lim, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Timberlake last performed on stage at the Recording Academy Honors in January to celebrate collaborator Pharrell Williams.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Milton takes clear lead in QB2 battle Both backup quarterbacks performed well in the preseason opener in Seattle, and both went into the week of practice continuing to split reps with the second-team offense.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Trump has all but severed America’s system of alliances, mocked and bullied Ukraine’s president, and showered praise upon Kim Jong Un.
    Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Much of the vitriol apparently stems from the developers releasing GTA VI without physical copies of the game, a decision that was roundly mocked and derided last month.
    Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Laughing, smoking cigarettes, and sipping bottles of Red Stripe, numerous packs of Black folks lounged around the joint.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Emily Ratajkowski lounged on a beach in Spain with her 5-year-old son Sylvester Apollo Bear wearing a tiny animal print bikini.
    Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • The authors note that such items are extremely rare and hence very costly; such transactions would not usually be handled via public social media posts.
    Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Sky forward-center Azura Stevens opened the team’s press availability, saying that security handled a fan incident and that the team was going to focus on the game.
    Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Hospitals and other healthcare providers have warned that the changes could put additional financial pressure on rural facilities that rely heavily on Medicaid reimbursements.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • But the band fury is as climactic as anything that could be done continuing to have the full ensemble play… and Dudamel looked happy enough to put his baton down, turn around and just watch the group play for a few minutes.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • And those just interested in being entertained will have plenty of music to enjoy throughout the weekend.
    Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Adults can share the duties of handing out snacks and keeping kids entertained.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Wuornos, a serial killer who murdered seven men in 1989 and 1990, was previously portrayed by Charlize Theron in the 2003 film Monster.
    Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026
  • As so often, the new stadium was portrayed as a symbol of a brighter future.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Played.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster