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 their New York home, Tina and Joe have played up the charming historical details of their pre-war apartment like original molding and uneven walls.
—
Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
The City manager made several bold tactical changes for the first leg at the Bernabeu, returning Nico O’Reilly to left-back and starting both Jeremy Doku and Savinho on the wings, as well as Antoine Semenyo, who played up front alongside Erling Haaland.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Following a devastating turn on The Wire, Jordan played up the drama on the ABC soap opera All My Children.
—Ken Simmons, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
Natasha Zinko played up the fades of men’s blue jeans.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
Roy Nwaisser, who chairs the Encino Neighborhood Council’s public safety committee, said that Flock often played up the shortage of police officers during its presentations to residents in his neighborhood.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
The film’s press campaign has, quite reasonably, played up the magnificence of Skarsgård’s body in leather and winked at the transgressiveness on display.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2026
This film adaptation cut out the second half of the book, downplayed the violence committed by Olivier’s character, Heathcliff, and played up the romance between Heathcliff and Oberon’s character, Cathy.
—Becky Little, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Other commercials played up the surreal.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 9 Feb. 2026
Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
The City manager made several bold tactical changes for the first leg at the Bernabeu, returning Nico O’Reilly to left-back and starting both Jeremy Doku and Savinho on the wings, as well as Antoine Semenyo, who played up front alongside Erling Haaland.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Following a devastating turn on The Wire, Jordan played up the drama on the ABC soap opera All My Children.
—Ken Simmons, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
Natasha Zinko played up the fades of men’s blue jeans.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
Roy Nwaisser, who chairs the Encino Neighborhood Council’s public safety committee, said that Flock often played up the shortage of police officers during its presentations to residents in his neighborhood.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
The film’s press campaign has, quite reasonably, played up the magnificence of Skarsgård’s body in leather and winked at the transgressiveness on display.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2026
This film adaptation cut out the second half of the book, downplayed the violence committed by Olivier’s character, Heathcliff, and played up the romance between Heathcliff and Oberon’s character, Cathy.
—Becky Little, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Other commercials played up the surreal.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played up
Verb
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Cannes highlighted Travolta’s flying resume — he’s certified to fly Boeing 707s, 737s, and 747s, Bombardier’s Global Express and was the first private pilot to fly an Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger airliner.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
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Trump has highlighted the reopening of crude production under a framework negotiated between Washington and Caracas.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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McLeod also emphasized the urgency of incorporating and said that many people get the wrong message about what becoming a city means.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
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The Carroll crater sits near the boundary of the far side of the moon and is visible from Earth during certain times of the lunar cycle — a detail Hansen emphasized in his announcement.—
Ryan Brennan
April 7,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Robert Macedonio, an attorney for Ellerup and daughter Victoria Heuermann, stressed his clients were not involved in Rex Heuermann’s alleged crimes.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2026
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For in all their exchanges, the Chinese side stressed a red line the Americans could never cross.—
Michael Sheridan,
Vanity Fair,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
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All products featured on Bon Appétit are independently selected by our editors.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Played up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played%20up. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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