as in used
to take unfair advantage of
the candidate played on the voters' prejudices
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played (on or upon)
Verb
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Schmidt warned that without enforcement, these rogue models could spread unchecked and be used for harm by bad actors.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025 -
While initially designed to be used in a rocket artillery system, it was modified to be attached to a first-person-view drone using a wooden stick, wire and duct tape, CAR said.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In theory, Slot’s tactical out-of-possession shuffle to a staggered 4-3-3 should help Liverpool to defend on their right flank, but the ease with which Chelsea exploited the space was a culmination of weeks of warning signs.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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There's nothing inherently damning about money chasing hyper-aggressive stocks in a bull market just turning three years old with many core fundamental themes appearing well-exploited.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Lorincz’s sister testified that they both were abused as children and were raised in a household with a history of mental illness and addiction.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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Court filings from the former players allege how Lorch methodically groomed and abused children from some of the nation’s poorest communities, cunningly and cruelly preying on their desperation and love of the city game, on an almost industrial scale.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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To this end, the firm leveraged its own talents and art departments for the campaigns and aims to further boost the appeal of the products by encouraging their use in models’ off-duty moments.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
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Industry platforms such as Hong Kong Fashion Fest, initiated and supported by the HKSAR government, should be leveraged not just as celebrations of creativity, but as global stages to showcase our seriousness and leadership in sustainability.—
Sunny Tan,
Sourcing Journal,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Politico spoke to Ingrassia’s lawyer, who said the text messages might have been manipulated or were missing context.—
Fortune Editors,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
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In many cases, the photos are so heavily filtered and manipulated, that there is no way to look like this in real life.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
21 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Played (on or upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played%20%28on%20or%20upon%29. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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