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
In the debate, both Crockett and Talarico played up their ties to labor, calling unions essential to protecting workers from corporate abuses, job losses and rising costs.
—
Gromer Jeffers Jr, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026
Netflix’s promos for Star Search have played up the fact that many of the contestants from the original went on to find success, from Brad Garrett and Ray Romano to Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2026
China, for its part, played up the SCO as a display of geopolitical confidence and an alternative pole of attraction.
—Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
Blunt played up the cheeky bodycon design, wearing nothing but a completely sheer black mesh skirt over it.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026
Yet these playoffs open without a dominant team partly because Buffalo, a preseason title favorite, hasn't consistently played up to that level.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 5 Jan. 2026
Draymond and Trae have not played up to expectations.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
But the rookie has mostly played up to his standard since.
—Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 2 Jan. 2026
While Gomez has played Mabel Mora on Hulu's whodunit since its premiere in 2021, Park played up-and-coming actress Kimber Min as a recurring character for just one season in 2023.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Gromer Jeffers Jr, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026
Netflix’s promos for Star Search have played up the fact that many of the contestants from the original went on to find success, from Brad Garrett and Ray Romano to Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2026
China, for its part, played up the SCO as a display of geopolitical confidence and an alternative pole of attraction.
—Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
Blunt played up the cheeky bodycon design, wearing nothing but a completely sheer black mesh skirt over it.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026
Yet these playoffs open without a dominant team partly because Buffalo, a preseason title favorite, hasn't consistently played up to that level.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 5 Jan. 2026
Draymond and Trae have not played up to expectations.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
But the rookie has mostly played up to his standard since.
—Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 2 Jan. 2026
While Gomez has played Mabel Mora on Hulu's whodunit since its premiere in 2021, Park played up-and-coming actress Kimber Min as a recurring character for just one season in 2023.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played up
Verb
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In that moment, Kostoulas (introduced for Danny Welbeck in the 88th minute) exhibited the true nature of Brighton’s squad, highlighted recently by The Athletic.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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Zhu highlighted innovations, such as the 2023 cross-border payment using digital RMB for precious metals.—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Prompting, Kapur emphasized, is also a leadership skill.—
Rodger Dean Duncan,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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School administrators emphasized that the reopening represents months of coordination across agencies, contractors, educators, and local leaders to ensure the campus is safe, operational and ready to welcome students home.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Yan stressed that the hydrogel cooling tech addresses the hot spot issue without the need to modify existing circuit designs.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
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Pace stressed that the appetite for collectible art and design continues to grow among Saint Moritz residents and visitors alike.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The frock was the Reformation Lucine dress and featured a V-neck neckline that was adorned with a lace detail.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
29 Jan. 2026
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This season, Roseberry continued his mission with a haute couture collection that featured replica reptilian textures, protruding tusk breasts, scorpion bustiers and a translucent two-piece skirt suit rendered in hyperreal blowfish scales.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Played up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played%20up. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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