1
as in recreating
to engage in activity for amusement
told her son that he needed some time to run and play in the yard after his hard work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in performing
to present a portrayal or performance of
played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in mocking
to pretend to be (what one is not) in appearance or behavior
stop playing the innocent, because I know that you were behind that prank
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in lounging
to spend time in aimless activity
just played around while we waited for the bus to arrive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in managing
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
this is how we're going to play the situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in putting
to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event
figuring that she had little to lose, she played her last few bucks on the state lottery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of playing
With fewer matches, shorter timelines and captaincy playing a huge role, identifying the right elite assets can make or break your World Cup Fantasy campaign.
—
Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Simmons fits in nicely alongside eighth-graders Ella Parece and Molly Buffington, all playing a big role in the run this time.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 11 June 2026
However, Raúl Rangel has been the starting goalkeeper during Mexico’s past three warm-up matches, playing the full 90 minutes each time.
—Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Olivier was venerated as a Shakespearean actor, playing many iconic protagonists in London including Hamlet, Henry V, Macbeth and, controversially, Othello.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
Garrett is ambivalent about playing hockey, which he was forced into by his cold and extremely famous star-athlete father (Steve Howey, giving perfect network-procedural-bad-guy energy).
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
While there have been examples of such films succeeding (think Tyler Perry playing Madea in more than a dozen movies), this type of drag is typically reserved for more underground pictures.
—David MacK, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
New York leads, 12-7, after a pair of early 3-pointers and by playing fast to try to get ahead of the defense of Victor Wembanyama.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 4 June 2026
Hanging on his wall as inspiration was a rhapsodic review of My Left Foot, which earned Daniel Day-Lewis his first Oscar for playing a guy with cerebral palsy.
—Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2026
Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Simmons fits in nicely alongside eighth-graders Ella Parece and Molly Buffington, all playing a big role in the run this time.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 11 June 2026
However, Raúl Rangel has been the starting goalkeeper during Mexico’s past three warm-up matches, playing the full 90 minutes each time.
—Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Olivier was venerated as a Shakespearean actor, playing many iconic protagonists in London including Hamlet, Henry V, Macbeth and, controversially, Othello.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
Garrett is ambivalent about playing hockey, which he was forced into by his cold and extremely famous star-athlete father (Steve Howey, giving perfect network-procedural-bad-guy energy).
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
While there have been examples of such films succeeding (think Tyler Perry playing Madea in more than a dozen movies), this type of drag is typically reserved for more underground pictures.
—David MacK, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
New York leads, 12-7, after a pair of early 3-pointers and by playing fast to try to get ahead of the defense of Victor Wembanyama.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 4 June 2026
Hanging on his wall as inspiration was a rhapsodic review of My Left Foot, which earned Daniel Day-Lewis his first Oscar for playing a guy with cerebral palsy.
—Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing
Verb
-
Will America be messy once again, pairing Sol with Sincere, basically recreating last year’s drama when Jeremiah was paired with Iris?—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
12 June 2026
-
She’s beloved as evidenced by her fans recreating her songs on TikTok.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The video shows Optimus performing tasks such as handing out bottled water, posing for photos, and dancing for attendees.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Dec. 2025
-
The team suffered a devastating 20-10 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday night, with Patrick Mahomes performing below his usual level of excellence.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Nationwide, there have been several instances of people publicly celebrating or mocking Charlie Kirk's shocking assassination.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
7 Dec. 2025
-
Campbell's has fired an executive accused of making racist comments and mocking its products and customers.—
Christian Orozco,
NBC news,
27 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The large private compound boasts a gym, a spa, a theater, a pool, a large terrace for lounging and barbecuing, and a personal-size soccer field.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
11 June 2026
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Especially in this trending barrel style, these sweatpants seamlessly upgrade any airport or lounging outfit with a fashion-forward edge that doesn’t sacrifice comfort.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The Spurs jumped out to a 29-point lead in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden before turning into a shell of themselves, somehow managing to give up the massive lead and hand the Knicks the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
-
The people most committed to managing their time well are often the most frustrated by the results.—
Cynthia Pong,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Down by 29 at one point, the Knicks stormed all the way back, putting Madison Square Garden into a frenzy.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
-
Miami Host Committee officials and local politicians were at the Fan Festival on Wednesday as workers bustled around putting the final touches on the park.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Just imagine days spent frolicking at the indoor water park and Great Wolf Lodge's many other family-centric attractions, and then nights cozied up in the comfy suite inspired by the Great Outdoors (without actually having to navigate the Great Outdoors).—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
27 May 2026
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By watching every moment of his famous subjects frolicking around the studio, we’d all be deprived of the chance to cherish the best seconds of it.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Moscow rarely punishes its soldiers in Ukraine for committing crimes, portraying them as national heroes at home.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Her statement goes further, challenging Burrowes’ motives and portraying his participation in the series as opportunistic.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
8 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Playing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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