as in highlighted
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on
that TV news program plays up sensational stories just to get higher ratings
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Recent Examples of played up
Becerra’s rivals played up his connection to a corruption case involving a former aide and advisor, though the former attorney general has not been accused of wrongdoing.
—
Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Speaking to students, Bell played up his bona fides as a former Southeastern Conference leader who oversaw one of the nation’s most successful athletic programs and three national championship titles.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
Under former creative director Jonathan Anderson, the fashion brand played up that connection through numerous high-profile collaborations with artists ranging from Lynda Benglis to Richard Hawkins.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 2 June 2026
Dooley played up his status as a first-time candidate and, despite Republicans controlling the House, Senate and White House, hit Collins as being part of a do-nothing government.
—ABC News, 31 May 2026
Cathie Hong Interiors played up the yellow undertones in this pale gray sofa with orange, rust, and pink tones found in the wood coffee table, wall art, and rug.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 31 May 2026
On Saturday, the Royals played up to their capabilities.
—Jaylon Thompson
may 23, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2026
The Google platform which relies on advertising to drive revenues predictably played up Youtube’s appeal to Canadian marketers.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Nobile played up his role, earning a promotion from Mussolini and a meeting with President Calvin Coolidge.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 12 May 2026
Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Speaking to students, Bell played up his bona fides as a former Southeastern Conference leader who oversaw one of the nation’s most successful athletic programs and three national championship titles.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
Under former creative director Jonathan Anderson, the fashion brand played up that connection through numerous high-profile collaborations with artists ranging from Lynda Benglis to Richard Hawkins.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 2 June 2026
Dooley played up his status as a first-time candidate and, despite Republicans controlling the House, Senate and White House, hit Collins as being part of a do-nothing government.
—ABC News, 31 May 2026
Cathie Hong Interiors played up the yellow undertones in this pale gray sofa with orange, rust, and pink tones found in the wood coffee table, wall art, and rug.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 31 May 2026
On Saturday, the Royals played up to their capabilities.
—Jaylon Thompson
may 23, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2026
The Google platform which relies on advertising to drive revenues predictably played up Youtube’s appeal to Canadian marketers.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Nobile played up his role, earning a promotion from Mussolini and a meeting with President Calvin Coolidge.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played up
Verb
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The connected services integrated into cheap Chinese cars are frequently highlighted as a key reason those vehicles are so much better than anything anyone can buy in the US, according to their boosters.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
2 June 2026
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Data highlighted in the conservation framework report show one pronghorn herd in the Shotgun Valley north of Idaho Falls migrates primarily across private land.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
2 June 2026
Verb
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The project posed several issues for an artist who had always emphasized clarity and simplicity in his solitary picture-taking.—
James Quandt,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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Instead of treating automation as a cost-reduction tool, Sharda has emphasized reducing friction for both employees and applicants.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Analysts also questioned the geopolitical situation, particularly in the Middle East, where sales have been affected by broader regional instability, but Garcia Tapia stressed that the impact has been contained after early closures at the start of the Iran war.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
3 June 2026
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City officials said the rapid growth of the city has stressed the facility, prompting the construction of a new shelter, which will be three times the size of the current facility.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 June 2026
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In the 1990s, the soft drink company ran a promotion and a Super Bowl commercial that featured the Harrier as a prize for accumulating 7 million points by drinking Pepsi products.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Played up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played%20up. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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