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
The game was played in Texas but Knicks fans gathered at watch parties across the city to witness the team battle back in the fourth quarter to take the title.
—
Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Although the championship-clinching game was played thousands of miles away, police maintained a large presence around Madison Square Garden, the Knicks' home arena.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Jerg Ramel brought his mother and a family friend to the restaurant, despite being only a few miles from where the game was being played.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Smith played a key role in the 49ers’ dominant defense in the early 2010s under head coach Jim Harbaugh, which earned San Francisco an NFC championship and appearance in Super Bowl XLVII, which the 49ers lost to the Baltimore Ravens.
—Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2026
He was reinstated in 2020 and played one season with the Dallas Cowboys.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 14 June 2026
Its inventors were bored Ivy Leaguers who played it while waiting for the results of the annual Harvard-Yale football game.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
Before Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament formed half of Pearl Jam, their previous band, Mother Love Bone, played its final show at the Central in 1990.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 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
Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Although the championship-clinching game was played thousands of miles away, police maintained a large presence around Madison Square Garden, the Knicks' home arena.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Jerg Ramel brought his mother and a family friend to the restaurant, despite being only a few miles from where the game was being played.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Smith played a key role in the 49ers’ dominant defense in the early 2010s under head coach Jim Harbaugh, which earned San Francisco an NFC championship and appearance in Super Bowl XLVII, which the 49ers lost to the Baltimore Ravens.
—Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2026
He was reinstated in 2020 and played one season with the Dallas Cowboys.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 14 June 2026
Its inventors were bored Ivy Leaguers who played it while waiting for the results of the annual Harvard-Yale football game.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
Before Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament formed half of Pearl Jam, their previous band, Mother Love Bone, played its final show at the Central in 1990.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played
Verb
-
This reportedly recreated the pion’s internal structure in remarkable detail.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
12 June 2026
-
The building, now a historical landmark, reopened its doors in 2015 after a restoration that recreated the original paint palette and 1930s carpeting and murals.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Two groups of ultras performed choreographed routines of chants and jumping, backed by drums and trumpets.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
For example, trick roping performed by horse riders that don’t actually lasso animals or choreographed riding to music are not included in the ban.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Gaudí’s radical, modernist designs were mocked in his lifetime but have subsequently been celebrated.—
Ashley Mowreader,
NBC news,
13 June 2026
-
The bear designed on the flag was mocked by some, due to its closer resemblance to a pig.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
12 June 2026
Verb
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In the first slide, Olive rested on Benson’s chest as the two lounged on a sofa on a sunny day, looking at the camera.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
-
Her figures lounged, stood, or in one instance danced in unadorned, nearly empty interiors composed with broad, feathery brushstrokes.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The New York Review of Books,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
But Weiss handled the booking and gave Netanyahu the option to select Garrett.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
But the path from prototype to production at scale remains fragmented, handled by a patchwork of specialized suppliers or brave product companies building proprietary deployment and maintenance pipelines.—
Bill Curtis,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The president’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act created a large new deduction for seniors, which put a major dent in one of Social Security’s major revenue sources — the income taxes on benefits paid by higher-income beneficiaries.—
Ben Ritz,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Reinforced with a silicone grip and soft-sided boning, this strapless bra stays put.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
On day one, guests tour Villa Santo Sospir, formerly owned by socialite Francine Weisweiller, who entertained Cocteau, Picasso, and Yves Saint Laurent.—
Jennifer Leigh Parker,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
Best hopping balls for indoor and outdoor use Hopper balls are a fun way to keep children entertained and make adults feel like kids again.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Based on the real-life author, the second-oldest Ingalls daughter is portrayed as a tomboy and animal lover with a big heart.—
Kelly Martinez,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
-
Set in Punjab, the series centres on two brothers – Bobby and Bunty Manocha, played by Shaheer and Mishra respectively – whose lives are upended after Bunty vanishes following an encounter with a powerful figure named Goldy, portrayed by Kapoor.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Played.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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