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
Kornet played six minutes, missed all three of his shot attempts and finished with only two points, but the block was an epic moment.
—
Tim Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Ward has played just nine games in left field for OKC this season.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Worthy missed four games but played through the injury for the rest of the season with a shoulder brace and collected 532 yards and a touchdown on 42 catches.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2026
The film — which follows a group of misfits who are pulled through a portal into a cubic world and guided by an expert crafter named Steve (played by Black) — debuted to a record $163 million domestic opening and ultimately grossed $960 million worldwide.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 30 May 2026
About a third of the team had never played before the start of the season.
—Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
The conservative Freedom Foundation, an organization that played a role in the law’s creation, celebrated its passage.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 24 May 2026
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
Tim Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Ward has played just nine games in left field for OKC this season.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Worthy missed four games but played through the injury for the rest of the season with a shoulder brace and collected 532 yards and a touchdown on 42 catches.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2026
The film — which follows a group of misfits who are pulled through a portal into a cubic world and guided by an expert crafter named Steve (played by Black) — debuted to a record $163 million domestic opening and ultimately grossed $960 million worldwide.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 30 May 2026
About a third of the team had never played before the start of the season.
—Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
The conservative Freedom Foundation, an organization that played a role in the law’s creation, celebrated its passage.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 24 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played
Verb
-
On May 29, the MomTok star recreated a social media trend on Instagram for her birthday.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
Through continuity of evidence, each supply chain transition must produce a verifiable, tamper-resistant evidence, and through independent verification, that evidence is not self-issued, self-declared or recreated after the fact.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Upon his return to Pittsburgh, Negri studied musical composition at Carnegie Mellon University and performed extensively in the local music scene, which included playing with pianist Johnny Costa on the CBS TV station KDKA.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
Makeup categories, including lip products, cushions and foundations, followed, while hair care, body care, beauty accessories and wellness products also performed strongly.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
McGuire did say that Hammond would be ready Week 1 if Texas accepted his offer to play in Lubbock or AT&T Stadium after head coach Steve Sarkisian mocked the Red Raiders’ schedule this season.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 May 2026
-
For years, the engineer slots have been mocked by theme-park enthusiasts as boring tasks — to the point that it was quietly mocked in a stage show at the recent Orlando Fringe Festival.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
After flying to the exotic location, Jenner lounged around in a tiny pink bikini in the same color as her brand's font.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
-
Posing against the backdrop of the ocean, Klum twirled around and lounged on a log in the sand, showing off different angles of the plunging string bikini design.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
According to the county’s trauma dashboard, local hospitals handled 1,633 motor vehicle injuries in 2024.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
Soursop is a delicate fruit, so it should be handled with care.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Featuring a drawstring waist and double side seams, these low-rise jeans put a playful twist on Hargitay’s wide-leg style.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
For this reason, try to put your hummingbird food far from other bird feeders and, if possible, position several hummingbird feeders across your yard so aggressive hummingbirds can keep a safe space from their own kind.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Turn mealtime into braintime with this interactive puzzle toy that keeps dogs engaged, entertained and mentally stimulated.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
25 May 2026
-
The couple reportedly entertained famous friends there.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Dozens of people submitted letters on Roberts’ behalf to dispute how he has been portrayed and provide details of his positive impact.—
Hannah Fingerhut,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
Andrew Scott famously played him in Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss’ hit BBC drama Sherlock and he has also been portrayed by the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Jared Harris, Dougray Scott, Eric Porter and Dónal Finn down the years.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Played.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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