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 The Smith Family Foundation has played a leadership role in Trenton, New Jersey, for a decade. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 28 June 2026 This time green and red shared the spotlight as Algeria played Austria in a Group J match, the final one that determined who would advance to the knockout stage. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 28 June 2026 Montgomery played a role offensively in the bottom of the seventh when the Sox tied the score. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026 The short snippet of footage played in the room for the audience of fans. Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 27 June 2026 Addison Bounds, 22, and Kiara Robichaud, 25, played together at Cal Poly and are the co-founders of Elora. Lucy Glynn, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026 Other than Swift’s recent appearance at the Garden to support the Knicks in their historic Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Swift has occasionally played the venue — starting with a 2003 talent show at a Knicks game. Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026 Running from June 11 to July 19, 13 matches will be played across the two cities of Toronto and Vancouver as the country prepares to welcome significant international crowds. Carinne Geil Botta, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 The Chargers are also adding incoming freshman quarterback Emerson Andrews, whose father, David, played tight end at Ohio State and was a member of the 2002 national championship team. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played
Verb
  • Every site in the ancient city has been scanned, researched, and recreated by a team of artists from History, Incorporated, a historic preservation consulting firm.
    Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 24 June 2026
  • Instead, the 93-year-old actor's voice has been recreated by AI courtesy of AI audio company ElevenLabs.
    Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Among the hundreds of surgeries performed over three decades by ElAttrache, his patients include the four 2024 MLB most valuable player and Cy Young Award winners — Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Chris Sale and Tarik Skubal.
    Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
  • The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery reports that the average number of hair restoration surgeries performed per member in the past year is 178.
    Malana VanTyler, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Her party has often mocked the country’s efforts to adapt to climate change, and has fought any effort to reduce its effects.
    Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026
  • The 19-year-old was mocked as a late first-round, early second-round selection.
    Michael Guise, CBS News, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • In the living room, a tabby cat with a clipped ear lounged on a velvet couch, her front paws propping open an illustrated catalogue of military aircraft.
    Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
  • The couple giggled between kisses and lounged on a red-and-white picnic blanket while overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
    Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • But the Colorado legislation, signed into law in May, allows the state to pursue the types of cases typically handled at the federal level, such as those involving allegations of discrimination and harassment.
    Heather Hollingsworth, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • The Dodgers have praised how Tucker has handled his struggles in the first year of a four-year, $240 million deal.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • In addition to the fear of deportation, the ruling puts thousands of immigrants at risk of losing their work authorization and their jobs, according to a Haitian-American journalist.
    Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026
  • That lawsuit, in part, accuses City Attorney Miko Brown of pushing airport officials to investigate a charter airline's safety record -- not because of genuine safety concerns, but to create legal cover for a city council vote that put $90 million in federal grant money at risk.
    Brian Maass, CBS News, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Fair highlights Despite the ongoing issues, the sparse number of visitors entertained themselves with interactive exhibits, like dressing up as former President George Washington or speaking with an actress portraying Betsy Ross.
    Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 26 June 2026
  • Multiple clips from the show entertained the Annecy audience, all of which carried the high energy fans would expect.
    Ryan Gaur, Variety, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • She’s portrayed as misguided and misunderstood, not evil.
    Rachel Hale, USA Today, 26 June 2026
  • In Legend, a world made up of unicorns, magic, and rainbows, Darkness (portrayed by Tim Curry) attempts to create eternal night by killing the remaining unicorns.
    Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 26 June 2026

Cite this Entry

“Played.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on played

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