Synonyms of played

played

verb

past tense of play

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

• recreated
• entertained
• frolicked
• toyed
• rollicked
• amused
• joked
• sported
• relaxed
• romped
• cavorted
• rested
• disported
• dabbled
• delighted
• dallied
• teased
• pleased
• skylarked
• gamboled
• frisked
• trifled
• diverted
• loafed
• idled
• jested
• dawdled
• puttered (around)
• fiddled (around)
• hung
• screwed around
• slacked (off)
• lounged (around or about)
• hung about
• goldbricked
• messed around
• bummed (around)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• worked
• struggled
• labored
• toiled
• plugged (away)
• strove
• strained
• slaved
• plodded
• sweat
• drudged

2

as in performed

to present a portrayal or performance of

played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic

Synonyms & Similar Words

• performed
• portrayed
• interpreted
• represented
• did
• depicted
• acted
• impersonated
• rendered
• enacted
• role-played
• dramatized
• acted out
• pantomimed
• mimicked
• imitated
• underplayed
• overplayed
• masqueraded
• mimed
• took on
• posed (as)
• clowned
• aped
• playacted
• hammed
• costarred
• starred (in)
• overacted
• coacted

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

• mocked
• portrayed
• imitated
• posed (as)
• acted
• impersonated
• masqueraded (as)
• personated
• parodied
• copied
• mimicked
• mimed
• performed
• aped
• travestied
• monkeyed

4

as in lounged

to spend time in aimless activity

just played around while we waited for the bus to arrive

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lounged
• idled
• loafed
• doodled
• tinkered
• trifled
• puttered (around)
• fiddled (around)
• pottered (around)
• fribbled
• hung about
• fooled around
• goofed (around)
• messed around
• kicked around
• monkeyed (around)
• dawdled
• lolled
• hung (around or out)
• dallied
• horsed around
• dillydallied
• clowned (around)
• diddled (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• set (to)
• settled (down)
• buckled (down)
• knuckled down

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

• handled
• addressed
• managed
• manipulated
• treated
• took
• negotiated
• fielded
• swung
• maneuvered
• hacked
• contended (with)
• grappled (with)
• pulled
• came to grips with
• coped (with)
• engineered
• had a grip on
• carried out
• controlled
• steered
• got off
• regulated
• directed
• carried off
• guided
• jockeyed
• brought off
• responded (to)
• commanded
• finessed
• reacted (to)
• ran
• micromanaged

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fumbled
• bungled
• muffed
• mishandled
• botched
• messed (up)
• goofed (up)
• scamped
• foozled
• loused up

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

• put
• bet
• wagered
• gambled
• laid
• offered
• staked
• went
• speculated
• ventured
• bade
• chanced
• adventured
• jeopardized
• imperiled
• endangered
• hazarded

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of played

Jack Coleman, who played her father on the NBC drama, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

The Hunger Games prequel Sunrise on the Reaping is taking fans of the dystopian franchise back to Panem for the Second Quarter Quell, in which one Haymitch Abernathy (now played by Aussie actor Joseph Zada) will be forced to fight for his life. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Aug. 2026

Fonda, who played Judy Bernly, a woman who joined the office after a heartbreaking divorce, spoke to every facet of Parton’s legacy. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026

When Stone and singer-songwriter Steve Alaimo formed TK Records, Latimore played piano on many of the Miami label’s recordings, including Alaimo’s, songs that, today, crop up in movies, TV shows and as soundtracks for social media posts. — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

The 6-foot-10, 250-pound Kanter Freedom played 11 seasons in the NBA. — Doug Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

In one of the wildest games ever played, the Cubs beat the Phillies 26-23. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

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

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

Phrases Containing played

• played out