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
Biel, who played so well in 2025 Charlotte FC brought him back on permanent transfer in 2026, received a pass from Ashley Westwood on a set play and fired a shot into the back of the net.
—
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2026
The two teams played their Class 6A Division ll girls state championship basketball game at the Alamodome in San Antonio on March 7, 2026.
—Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
But before Panarin had played his fourth game with his new team, the Kings fired coach Jim Hiller and lost wingers Andrei Kuzmenko, Kevin Fiala and Joel Armia to injuries.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Yanxiao began to recount the story of Eleanor Young, played by the actress Michelle Yeoh, who arrives at a grand London hotel with her family in the nineteen-nineties.
—Chang Che, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
Lewis played linebacker at Tennessee before signing with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2017 and appearing in the preseason.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 28 Feb. 2026
Joy Division played it live once, at their final gig in Birmingham on May 2.
—Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 28 Feb. 2026
An eight-year MLS veteran who also played two years in Scotland for Aberdeen, Ramirez has spent time with Minnesota, LAFC and Columbus in addition to the Galaxy.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 28 Feb. 2026
Brunson absolutely played like a star on Friday night against the Bucks, scoring 22 points in the first quarter of what became a blowout game.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2026
The two teams played their Class 6A Division ll girls state championship basketball game at the Alamodome in San Antonio on March 7, 2026.
—Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
But before Panarin had played his fourth game with his new team, the Kings fired coach Jim Hiller and lost wingers Andrei Kuzmenko, Kevin Fiala and Joel Armia to injuries.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Yanxiao began to recount the story of Eleanor Young, played by the actress Michelle Yeoh, who arrives at a grand London hotel with her family in the nineteen-nineties.
—Chang Che, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
Lewis played linebacker at Tennessee before signing with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2017 and appearing in the preseason.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 28 Feb. 2026
Joy Division played it live once, at their final gig in Birmingham on May 2.
—Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 28 Feb. 2026
An eight-year MLS veteran who also played two years in Scotland for Aberdeen, Ramirez has spent time with Minnesota, LAFC and Columbus in addition to the Galaxy.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 28 Feb. 2026
Brunson absolutely played like a star on Friday night against the Bucks, scoring 22 points in the first quarter of what became a blowout game.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played
Verb
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Detailed simulations showcased that photoelectric feedback discharges can be recreated inside small solid blocks in a lab setting.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
-
It was recreated by production designer Alex DiGerlando for Ryan Murphy's Love Story.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The lawsuit alleges that Acacio performed an ultrasound on at least one patient after his license was suspended.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Polling throughout the winter had shown little difference between how the two Democrats performed in hypothetical matchups against likely Republican opponents, but some surveys suggested Talarico ran slightly stronger among independents.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Prosecutors mocked Vargas’s account of the stabbing.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The infielder was mocked on social media after a head-scratching baserunning blunder against his former team, the Miami Marlins, in August.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Nearby, people and their dogs who had moved into the shelter for the duration of the war lounged on air mattresses, scrolling through their phones.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Just days after hard-launching her relationship with French filmmaker Romain Gavras, EmRata lounged in a plunging plush white robe while wearing nothing but some sparkling loud luxury accessories.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
October 23 – November 21 Today must be handled one thing at a time.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Thursday was a momentous day for the district, with teachers demonstrating at campuses, the district calling for a return to negotiations for union leaders and parents trying to determine whether to send their children to school as substitutes handled classroom duties.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The lobbyist helped secure Downtown Plaza as the site for the new Kings arena, putting together a deal with real estate developers to purchase the site and later sell it for a significant profit.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
That idea was put forth way back in 1929 by Fritz Zwicky, the same Fritz Zwicky who coined the term supernova and was the first to theorize the existence of dark matter.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But for a generation that has spent their entire lives being entertained by an algorithm, popping a disc into a player, sitting back, and knowing that their viewing experience won’t be interrupted by slow Internet seems almost radical.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
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The first-of-its-kind indoor coaster built by ridemaker ART Engineering of Germany hits all of Legoland’s 2- to 12-year-old demographic while also packing enough punch to keep the parents entertained.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Robin Hood was portrayed as a fox, Little John was depicted as a bear, Friar Tuck as a badger, Prince John as a lion, the sheriff of Nottingham as a wolf and Maid Marian as a vixen.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Radcliffe played the titular wizard Harry Potter in the beloved franchise, while Felton portrayed Potter's nemesis Draco Malfoy.—
Yi-Jin Yu,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Played.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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