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 Falcons played their opener two weeks ago and then had a bye.
—
Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 Sep. 2025
The team behind the research noted that many of these genes are tied to developmental delay, which may have played a role in the slower pace of postnatal brain growth in humans compared to chimpanzees.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
The 2025 edition of the Mayor’s Cup will be played under the lights.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
Teller and Sperry also attended the 2025 Super Bowl, where the couple had a rooting interest (he Chiefs played Teller's hometown team, the Philadelphia Eagles, in New Orleans.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
And Georgia appears to have played its hand right.
—Jillian Magtoto, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
All of those games were played in Little Rock.
—Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2025
Burnett also played Radner in the New York City premiere of Not Ready For Primetime, recently starred as the emcee for Channing Tatum’s Magic Mike Live and was featured in the same role for Finding Magic Mike on HBOMAX.
—Jane Levere, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
In the second, the creature—played by Jacob Elordi, made up to look like an oversize god made of veined, moving marble—tells his part of the story.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 30 Aug. 2025
Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 Sep. 2025
The team behind the research noted that many of these genes are tied to developmental delay, which may have played a role in the slower pace of postnatal brain growth in humans compared to chimpanzees.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
The 2025 edition of the Mayor’s Cup will be played under the lights.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
Teller and Sperry also attended the 2025 Super Bowl, where the couple had a rooting interest (he Chiefs played Teller's hometown team, the Philadelphia Eagles, in New Orleans.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
And Georgia appears to have played its hand right.
—Jillian Magtoto, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
All of those games were played in Little Rock.
—Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2025
Burnett also played Radner in the New York City premiere of Not Ready For Primetime, recently starred as the emcee for Channing Tatum’s Magic Mike Live and was featured in the same role for Finding Magic Mike on HBOMAX.
—Jane Levere, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
In the second, the creature—played by Jacob Elordi, made up to look like an oversize god made of veined, moving marble—tells his part of the story.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 30 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played
Verb
-
Archival film appears inside a camera housing, and recreated battle moments use AI colorization and 3D modeling.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
In 2005, the duo recreated his signature Rabbit sculpture as a platinum necklace pendant.—
Violet Goldstone,
Footwear News,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The veteran has at times performed for the Padres, but his latest clunker — Cortes yielded six runs over 2 1/3 innings — continued an alarming trend for a rotation that has gone nine consecutive games without an outing of more than five innings.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Paramedics performed life-saving measures on the boy, but couldn't save him; he was pronounced dead at the scene.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Lopez noted and mocked Johnson’s comments, sarcastically asking why the mayor didn’t blame it on other historic phenomena.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
-
During the jail call in question, Thug mocked Glo’s looks for being compared to Rihanna.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Throughout their trip, Gomez and her friends lounged on the beach and dressed up in matching sweatsuits.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Guests of the hotel lounged around the pool, mingling, laughing, and dancing.—
L'Oréal Blackett,
Refinery29,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Butler's sister-in-law baked a beautiful red velvet cake and a close friend handled music, hair and more.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The visiting bench complained that Barca’s Kika Nazareth had handled the ball, but the referee dismissed their appeal.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Trailing by 14 points, Charlotte needed a touchdown to get back in the game, and as Albin said, put some heat on the Tar Heels.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Sep. 2025
-
In the first inning as the Blue Jays wore down the Yankees by putting balls in play and fouling off pitches, Judge was tested for the first time on a single by Nathan Lukes.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With a little creativity, there are plenty of ways to keep them entertained — all from the comfort of home.—
Kelsey Monstrola,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The Beatles great last entertained Chicago in July 2017.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
He was often portrayed as a DOGE patsy, perhaps even a fool.—
Eli Hager,
ProPublica,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Mark-Paul Gosselaar portrayed Peter Bash, the more grounded and level-headed half of the Franklin & Bash duo.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Played.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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