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
For his audience, Guede played up the resilience that 2Africa would provide his country.
—
Samanth Subramanian, The Dial, 14 Oct. 2025
In lobbying for a looser interpretation of copyright regs, the big AI players have played up the fact that restrictions would give China an edge in the AI race.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Another prominent shoe style from the show also played up color contrast.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025
The Eagles played up-tempo in the second half, when there was a concerted effort to feed Brown and DeVonta Smith.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
Rodgers has played up to par, showing his usual poise while trying to find a rhythm with his receivers.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
That’s to say, Jefferson played up to the standards and expectations of a Chargers’ defense that has given up an average of 15 points per game in victories over the Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025
Xi played up a message that world is in a state of flux and chaos, and China is the responsible, stable power to guide it into the future.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Lynch, the women’s intercontinental champion and one of the top heels on the RAW roster, played up her villainous role to the crowd.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Samanth Subramanian, The Dial, 14 Oct. 2025
In lobbying for a looser interpretation of copyright regs, the big AI players have played up the fact that restrictions would give China an edge in the AI race.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Another prominent shoe style from the show also played up color contrast.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025
The Eagles played up-tempo in the second half, when there was a concerted effort to feed Brown and DeVonta Smith.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
Rodgers has played up to par, showing his usual poise while trying to find a rhythm with his receivers.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
That’s to say, Jefferson played up to the standards and expectations of a Chargers’ defense that has given up an average of 15 points per game in victories over the Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025
Xi played up a message that world is in a state of flux and chaos, and China is the responsible, stable power to guide it into the future.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Lynch, the women’s intercontinental champion and one of the top heels on the RAW roster, played up her villainous role to the crowd.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played up
Verb
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Researchers from Peking University, the University of Cambridge, and partner institutions highlighted that glass is often used to immobilize contaminants such as radionuclides and heavy metals, locking them safely inside a stable structure.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
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Hart re-shared a Fox News clip that highlighted an increase in Bible sales, downloads of religious mobile apps and streams of contemporary Christian music, with celebratory emojis.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Rietveld’s architectural design emphasized the geometric forms of the building in the same way as would a De Stijl painting.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
15 Oct. 2025
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Competitive runners emphasized the value of performance-enhancing features—such as carbon plates—but stressed that these should not come at the expense of comfort.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When stressed, injured, or aging, this tiny hydrozoan, Turritopsis dohrnii, can reverse its life cycle.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Oct. 2025
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Reflecting on the experience to WXII 12, Handy stressed the importance of his positive mindset.—
Michael Nied,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The gown's train featured a vaguely psychedelic ombre dip-dye pattern in shades of aubergine, sky blue, and lavender.—
Amy McCarthy,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
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Here is a look at key takeaways from chats with the people behind three films featured at LFF and their future plans.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Played up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played%20up. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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