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
But the Heat was outscored 9-0 when Ware and Adebayo played alongside each other in the first half on Saturday.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
People who were unexpectedly called to help with recovery operations, like McQueeney, played a key role in capturing the aftermath.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
The Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center says the animals have played an integral role in the state's history and ecology and served as a staple food source for people living in the region as far back as the Paleo-Indian period.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
While Knueppel’s former team played its 36th game of the season, the rookie has already nearly doubled that.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2026
Virginia, which became the second team ever that played in the first four to win a game, outscored Georgia (22-10) 11-2 in overtime.
—ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026
The Wild played a second consecutive game without forward Bobby Brink, who was injured and scored a goal in his home debut with the Wild last Tuesday versus Utah.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
The 27-year-old Yurtseven played in the Euroleague with Greek team Panathinaikos this season before signing in early March with the Rio Grande Valley Viper of the G League.
—Jon Becker, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
The Jayhawks last played in the Big 12 Tournament title game in 2023, a year after winning the NCAA championship.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2026
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
People who were unexpectedly called to help with recovery operations, like McQueeney, played a key role in capturing the aftermath.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
The Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center says the animals have played an integral role in the state's history and ecology and served as a staple food source for people living in the region as far back as the Paleo-Indian period.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
While Knueppel’s former team played its 36th game of the season, the rookie has already nearly doubled that.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2026
Virginia, which became the second team ever that played in the first four to win a game, outscored Georgia (22-10) 11-2 in overtime.
—ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026
The Wild played a second consecutive game without forward Bobby Brink, who was injured and scored a goal in his home debut with the Wild last Tuesday versus Utah.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
The 27-year-old Yurtseven played in the Euroleague with Greek team Panathinaikos this season before signing in early March with the Rio Grande Valley Viper of the G League.
—Jon Becker, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
The Jayhawks last played in the Big 12 Tournament title game in 2023, a year after winning the NCAA championship.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played
Verb
-
Exterior scenes for Love Story were filmed at the actual building, while interiors were recreated on soundstages using archival photographs and real estate listings to approximate the loft’s minimalist design.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Back in 2024, Gerber recreated her mom's iconic white slip dress moment from the 1993 Oscars.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Allen, who also performed at the Shrine Bowl, had a 39-inch vertical and a 10-5 broad jump at the combine.—
Mike Kaye
March 24,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Iran has already performed 99% of the centrifuge work required to produce weapons-grade uranium for nine nuclear weapons, said Robert Goldston, a Princeton University professor who researches arms control and fusion energy.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Two receivers projected in Miami’s range at 11 are Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson (who was mocked to Miami by ESPN’s Mel Kiper) and Southern Cal’s Makai Lemon.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The film's star, however, got plenty of attention during the ceremony, and was mocked multiple times for his controversial comments about ballet and opera.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Documents reviewed by the Miami Herald show that only a portion of the funds handled through TourProdEnter can be clearly tied to legitimate AFA expenses.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Artist development, music production, choreography, promotion, and even fan engagement are all typically handled in-house.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That $4 million APY puts him outside the Top 30 among all offensive tackles in the league.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The second half belonged to the Hornets as Grant Williams' 3 put Charlotte up 94-76 entering the fourth quarter.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Fans are entitled to want to be entertained, and to be frustrated that the European campaign has been a struggle, as well as by the problems Palace have endured when confronted by 10 men on several occasions of late.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
-
United has long entertained the prospect of buying JetBlue, but remains disciplined on price, according to people familiar with the matter.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The special, which was filmed in front of a live studio audience, featured an in-depth interview with star Miley Cyrus, and came twenty years to the day that the pop star portrayed the alter ego blonde musician on Disney Channel.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
-
But defense attorneys argued the protests weren’t as peaceful as plaintiffs’ attorneys portrayed, that officers’ actions were justified, and that the individual officers named in the suit should be entitled to public official immunity and dismissed from the lawsuit.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Played.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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