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
In addition, the Urban Summit played a leading role in the special election to recall former Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr.
—
Freddrell Green, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2026
While the men who landed on the beaches of Normandy are remembered each year, Museum officials said the women on the home front played an essential role in making Allied victory possible.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 7 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
Among them is Han Kwang Song, a forward for the men’s national team, who played for a time in Italy.
—Andrew McNicol, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
The actresses share one of the film's most memorable scenes, in which Weaving's Caroline Daniels — a small-town woman who gets involved with a charismatic but dangerous grifter (Kyle Gallner) — tracks down her estranged mother, played by Sedgwick.
—Elizabeth Rosner, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
Kornet played six minutes, missed all three of his shot attempts and finished with only two points, but the block was an epic moment.
—Tim Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Ward has played just nine games in left field for OKC this season.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 30 May 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
Freddrell Green, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2026
While the men who landed on the beaches of Normandy are remembered each year, Museum officials said the women on the home front played an essential role in making Allied victory possible.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 7 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
Among them is Han Kwang Song, a forward for the men’s national team, who played for a time in Italy.
—Andrew McNicol, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
The actresses share one of the film's most memorable scenes, in which Weaving's Caroline Daniels — a small-town woman who gets involved with a charismatic but dangerous grifter (Kyle Gallner) — tracks down her estranged mother, played by Sedgwick.
—Elizabeth Rosner, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
Kornet played six minutes, missed all three of his shot attempts and finished with only two points, but the block was an epic moment.
—Tim Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Ward has played just nine games in left field for OKC this season.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 30 May 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
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Those capabilities were not built overnight and cannot be recreated overnight.—
Krutika Kuppalli,
STAT,
5 June 2026
-
The routines her daughter relies on — seeing the same faculty members, following the same schedule, riding the same bus with the same students — cannot be easily recreated somewhere else.—
Gabby Sartori,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Upon his return to Pittsburgh, Negri studied musical composition at Carnegie Mellon University and performed extensively in the local music scene, which included playing with pianist Johnny Costa on the CBS TV station KDKA.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
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Makeup categories, including lip products, cushions and foundations, followed, while hair care, body care, beauty accessories and wellness products also performed strongly.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
2 June 2026
Verb
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That unique bitterness is mocked, but revered, in countless social media videos.—
Chris Tye,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
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The Super Bowl-winning quarterback, set to join CBS’ pregame show after announcing his retirement Wednesday, went from Seattle Seahawks superstar to frequently mocked journeyman so quickly that only time will help process the implications in an even-handed manner.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Verb
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After flying to the exotic location, Jenner lounged around in a tiny pink bikini in the same color as her brand's font.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
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Posing against the backdrop of the ocean, Klum twirled around and lounged on a log in the sand, showing off different angles of the plunging string bikini design.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Seydou Traore caught an impressive touchdown pass from Cam Miller, who was the third quarterback who handled all the snaps this week while Mark Gronowski, an undrafted rookie, watched the 11-on-11 periods.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
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Through a licensing partnership handled by IMG Licensing, Alex and Ani is turning characters, symbols and settings from Prythian into a line of collectible jewelry.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
Verb
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But now a range of companies are putting AI directly into the hands of golfers.—
Jack Bantock,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
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These sell-offs, coupled with the rising import bill due to the surge in global oil prices, have weighed on the Indian rupee, putting it among the worst-performing currencies in Asia.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
Verb
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Turn mealtime into braintime with this interactive puzzle toy that keeps dogs engaged, entertained and mentally stimulated.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
25 May 2026
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The couple reportedly entertained famous friends there.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
24 May 2026
Verb
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Dozens of people submitted letters on Roberts’ behalf to dispute how he has been portrayed and provide details of his positive impact.—
Hannah Fingerhut,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
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Andrew Scott famously played him in Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss’ hit BBC drama Sherlock and he has also been portrayed by the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Jared Harris, Dougray Scott, Eric Porter and Dónal Finn down the years.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Played.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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