1
as in instrumentalists
a person who plays a musical instrument
a horn player
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in actors
one who acts professionally (as in a play, movie, or television show)
a troupe of players used to give performances on the town green
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in participants
one who takes part in something
a significant player in the negotiations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of players
Then to add insult to injury, Harrison — one of the players acquired in last summer’s Rafael Devers trade — has broken out as a potential Cy Young Award contender in Milwaukee.
—
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
Then came party number two on Sunday, when Arsenal’s players finally got their hands on the trophy and lifted it above their heads in the last game of the league season – cue more scenes of celebration across the English capital and beyond.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
Home runs by four different players tied for most in WCWS history.
—Tim Willert, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Each ticket costs $5, and players may pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers - five different numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls) and one number from 1 to 24 (the gold Mega Ball) - or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 30 May 2026
Credit to the players going out and doing it.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
And there was faith reiterated in the players not to make the same mistakes that saw the whole culture and ethos of McCullum come under question for being too ‘loose’.
—Paul Newman, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Heher and Hartje exchanged words after the play, and players and coaches from both benches streamed onto the field before cooler heads prevailed.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 23 May 2026
Which players need to take the next step, and which players are set to blossom?
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
Then came party number two on Sunday, when Arsenal’s players finally got their hands on the trophy and lifted it above their heads in the last game of the league season – cue more scenes of celebration across the English capital and beyond.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
Home runs by four different players tied for most in WCWS history.
—Tim Willert, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Each ticket costs $5, and players may pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers - five different numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls) and one number from 1 to 24 (the gold Mega Ball) - or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 30 May 2026
Credit to the players going out and doing it.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
And there was faith reiterated in the players not to make the same mistakes that saw the whole culture and ethos of McCullum come under question for being too ‘loose’.
—Paul Newman, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Heher and Hartje exchanged words after the play, and players and coaches from both benches streamed onto the field before cooler heads prevailed.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 23 May 2026
Which players need to take the next step, and which players are set to blossom?
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for players
Noun
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On Saturday there were nearly 400 student instrumentalists and vocalists one time or another on stage at Disney, members of a large symphony orchestra, a concert orchestra, a big band, a mariachi ensemble and the Titan Banda Oaxaquena.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
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Asake’s last live outing in North America was his Red Bull Symphonic concert, which transformed many of his fan favorites into reworked orchestral versions backed by classical instrumentalists and Nigerian talking drummers alike.—
Emanuel Okusanya,
Variety,
26 May 2026
Noun
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The union will also get notice and an opportunity to bargain in case studios begin using synthetic actors, but will not be in a position to call a strike over the issue until 2030.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
5 June 2026
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But the actors are reduced to joke machines trapped in a nonsensical nonplot, and while some of those gags yield laughs, a far greater number fall flat.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Podcasters Paul Gannon and Eli Silverman have done a remarkable job of unearthing details about the Winkie, including tracking down a French novelty record based on the friend-chip, various archival documents, and new interviews with competition participants, including Jeff Olan and Penny Floyd.—
Jonathan Odden,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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The twice-weekly two-hour temazcal experience, led by a local Mayan shaman, guides participants through an ancestral purification ritual focused on physical and spiritual detoxification.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Yet with these new songs out in the world, the three musicians don’t seem particularly bummed not to have their old ones in ready circulation.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
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Signed into law by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, Black Music Month recognizes the cultural and historical significance of Black musicians.—
Kaley Fedko,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Noun
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Alaska, Hawaiian are consistent performers The AQR also singled out Alaska Airlines as the steadiest performer in the industry.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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And in doing so, Gunther often lulls crowds into becoming sporting event spectators rather than the raucous participators that most other wrestlers try to draw out of them.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Across the campus, 30 artists have created an array of site-specific permanent works on a scale that would even be challenging for a leading contemporary art institution.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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Attendees enjoy performances from local artists and bands, while grabbing a bite or drink from food trucks and vendors.—
Laura Daily,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
Noun
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In a sea of prestige actresses doing dramedy, Byrne is a true comedic talent, sporting incredible instincts for finding the funniest angle for Sylvia to take in her line readings or gestures.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
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For many actresses, channeling Monroe, who died 50 years ago at 36 of an overdose of barbiturates, is virtually a rite of passage.—
Rebecca Mead,
Allure,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Players.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/players. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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