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
Goldin originally conceived of it as a slideshow timed to songs by The Velvet Underground and Dionne Warwick, played in nightclubs around New York, and eventually, in the Whitney Biennial in 1985.
—
Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
The 33-year old native of the Dominican Republic has played his entire 13-year, big league career in Cleveland.
—Arkansas Online, 25 Jan. 2026
Mater Dei played seven matches, Newport Harbor six.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 25 Jan. 2026
Yet for all of his accomplishments, Posey only played 12 seasons, and as a result his career numbers fall far short of what have traditionally been considered Hall of Fame benchmarks.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
Officials from the Minnesota Wild unveiled the future site at center ice on the rink in Hastings, at the conclusion of the 2026 event, which was played before decent crowds despite the dangerously cold weather.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026
Condron and Smith each played 37 minutes.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
Crespi opened hot from behind the arc and played solid defense, leading to a 41-41 tie at halftime.
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 25 Jan. 2026
Werner has 24 goals in 57 games for the German national team and played in the 2018 World Cup.
—Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
The 33-year old native of the Dominican Republic has played his entire 13-year, big league career in Cleveland.
—Arkansas Online, 25 Jan. 2026
Mater Dei played seven matches, Newport Harbor six.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 25 Jan. 2026
Yet for all of his accomplishments, Posey only played 12 seasons, and as a result his career numbers fall far short of what have traditionally been considered Hall of Fame benchmarks.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
Officials from the Minnesota Wild unveiled the future site at center ice on the rink in Hastings, at the conclusion of the 2026 event, which was played before decent crowds despite the dangerously cold weather.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026
Condron and Smith each played 37 minutes.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
Crespi opened hot from behind the arc and played solid defense, leading to a 41-41 tie at halftime.
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 25 Jan. 2026
Werner has 24 goals in 57 games for the German national team and played in the 2018 World Cup.
—Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played
Verb
-
Breaking down defenses The playmaking ability Butler brings as a driver could be somewhat recreated by De’Anthony Melton, who has been a revelation since hitting his stride in January.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
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In a photo dump shared on Tuesday, the Disney Channel alum recreated her most iconic Sharpay Evans outfits 20 years later for High School Musical’s anniversary.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Lords of Algorithm would rather have the function of writing performed by ChatGPT-3 and the art rendered by DALL-E, the rest of us will still have to draft emails and fill out forms.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
-
When officers arrived at a home on South Vrain Street in west Denver, CPR was being performed on a 2-year-old girl.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Before tens of thousands of protesters marched in Minneapolis on Friday to demand Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents leave Minnesota, they were mocked by the voice of the Minnesota Vikings.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Promoted domestically as a tale of peasant uprising, the film later became a cult curiosity abroad, often mocked for its special effects but recognized as one of the country’s most technically ambitious productions.—
Will Ripley,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In the selfie, Gomez lounged on her sofa with her head in one hand.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
17 Jan. 2026
-
Patrons lounged in a smoky daze; men wearing fedoras played mah-jongg.—
Dennis Zhou,
New Yorker,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
When your team sees a tedious process handled automatically, skepticism transforms into curiosity.—
Kwame Christian Esq,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The procedure is handled on an outpatient basis, with the appointment lasting about two hours.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In those two top nominees, the film academy put its full force behind a pair of visceral and bracingly original American epics that each connected with a fraught national moment.—
JAKE COYLE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The message echoing through the halls of Davos this year was that businesses and governments should no longer be putting plans in place to navigate periods of temporary disruption.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Lake Murray State Park, Oklahoma While the lake is, of course, the highlight of Lake Murray State Park, there are also campgrounds, beaches, ATV and hiking trails, tennis courts, baseball fields, and an 18-hole golf course to keep visitors entertained.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Jan. 2026
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Earning more than $500 million at the box office and winning five Oscars including Best Picture, Gladiator indeed kept its audience entertained, and holds up on repeat viewings alongside its blockbuster sequel from 2024.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The British newspaper portrayed Rodríguez as a complex figure with personal quirks and an ability to build rapport, citing sources who described her interest in champagne, table tennis and informal interactions with foreign dignitaries.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
-
In the wake of her parents’ separation, Lambert sketches the effects of divorce on children through the character of Pine’s daughter, delicately portrayed by Abby Ryder Fortson.—
Vanessa Franko,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Played.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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