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
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
And thus concludes our all-too-brief journey into Campy Flouncing, a modality of the show that was very played up in marketing materials.
—Lily Osler, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2025
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
Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
And thus concludes our all-too-brief journey into Campy Flouncing, a modality of the show that was very played up in marketing materials.
—Lily Osler, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played up
Verb
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Pakko said Arkansas has seen slow economic growth from 2021-23 but highlighted the state's low cost of living.—
Sydney Sasser,
Arkansas Online,
7 Nov. 2025
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Researchers also highlighted that the synergistic effect of K⁺ and C3N4 reduces electrostatic interactions and lowers the Zn2+ diffusion barrier.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Kate Crawford, professor at the University of Southern California and co-founder of the AI Now Institute, has emphasized the nature of AI as an extractive and exploitative industry.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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His platform emphasized issues like public safety, affordable housing, healthcare and fighting antisemitism — with a more centrist stance compared to Mamdani.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Orange Is the New Black alum stressed the importance of trans and non-binary representation in the mainstream theater world.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
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Airlines expect limited disruptions this weekend and stressed that international flights are not expected to be affected.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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That average grew Friday after the Heat had a 13-assist, no turnover quarter which featured 21 of 31 shooting and 10 for 15 on threes.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
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The original version of the song featured Philly rapper/singer Lay Bankz and appeared on CxM’s six-track debut, which dropped in late September.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Played up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played%20up. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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