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
Ella Bruccoleri may be playing a Bennet sister on TV, but the actress wasn’t always a fan of Jane Austen.
—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
25 June 2026
According to court documents, Zimmerman was playing golf at the hotel's course throughout the day with friends.
—
Peter Burditt,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
Nakase has shortened her rotation in the last few weeks, and has shifted to playing more small-ball with players like Kayla Thornton and Janelle Salaün playing more center.
—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
25 June 2026
Starting from today, nations will start playing their final group stage matches.
—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
Dallas Stadium’s long-term grass future Once engineers figured out that drainage was a major problem in sustaining quality grass indoors, putting down a playing surface for a football, futbol or a soccer game wasn’t that hard.
—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
Even playing in the large San Francisco market and increasing payroll from $175 million in 2024 to $210 million in 2026.
—
Ian Miller Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
Goalkeeper Raúl Rangel was 18 years old and playing for Chivas de Guadalajara’s youth academy the last time Mexico faced South Korea in a World Cup match in 2018.
—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
But the eight-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, which honors global soccer’s best player, had no problems in a tuneup last week against Iceland, scoring on a penalty kick while playing 20 minutes in a sharp performance.
—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
25 June 2026
According to court documents, Zimmerman was playing golf at the hotel's course throughout the day with friends.
—
Peter Burditt,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
Nakase has shortened her rotation in the last few weeks, and has shifted to playing more small-ball with players like Kayla Thornton and Janelle Salaün playing more center.
—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
25 June 2026
Starting from today, nations will start playing their final group stage matches.
—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
Dallas Stadium’s long-term grass future Once engineers figured out that drainage was a major problem in sustaining quality grass indoors, putting down a playing surface for a football, futbol or a soccer game wasn’t that hard.
—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
Even playing in the large San Francisco market and increasing payroll from $175 million in 2024 to $210 million in 2026.
—
Ian Miller Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
Goalkeeper Raúl Rangel was 18 years old and playing for Chivas de Guadalajara’s youth academy the last time Mexico faced South Korea in a World Cup match in 2018.
—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
But the eight-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, which honors global soccer’s best player, had no problems in a tuneup last week against Iceland, scoring on a penalty kick while playing 20 minutes in a sharp performance.
—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing
Verb
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Crafted in white gold, the necklace was adorned with a pavé of blue and light blue sapphires, Paraiba tourmalines and diamonds — all brilliant-cut — recreating the depth and movement of the water.
-
In 2020, RamÃrez reunited with Jon Heder for a Burger King commercial, recreating their iconic cafeteria scene to promote BK's cheesy tots.
Verb
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There isn't a second credits scene, but moviegoers who stick around until the very end will see Lilypad performing an amusing little rap with some of the other toys, including Bad Bunny's Pizza with Sunglasses, as the credits finish scrolling.
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That, in turn, strengthens the case for the Bank of Korea to raise interest rates, the very pressure that has made Korean government bonds the worst-performing sovereign debt in the world this year.
Verb
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Supporters jokingly call themselves unemployed and chronically online, while videos and memes mocking unemployment, corruption and political dysfunction have attracted millions of views.
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Reese and the Dream played Indiana on Thursday as well, where Reese was caught mocking Clark by flailing around during the stoppage in play.
Verb
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Based on the Los Angeles and Atlanta terminals, travelers on domestic flights typically spend one hour lounging before going through security, and those on international flights take about 90 minutes, Porter said.
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Beautifully landscaped, it shifts from shallow lounging areas suitable for children into deeper sections for proper swimming.
Verb
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Cruise lines are constantly managing a shifting inventory of cabin categories right up until embarkation day.
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The lack of Navy interest in managing NAVFAC leads, at best, to a leisurely approach to getting anything done.
Verb
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Less than five minutes after going up 1-0, Bosnia-Herzegovina now leads 2-0, putting it in great place to advance to the knockout stage.
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Data center demand grows Artificial intelligence and cloud computing have intensified the search for reliable, around-the-clock power sources, putting advanced nuclear technologies in the spotlight.
Verb
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The age-gap romance is one that Statsky said the writers have been toying around with for quite some time.
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The bill is the result of six years of studying and toying around the edges of PBM issues.
Verb
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In one section, Mayer turns her focus to Diana, portraying the late princess as a woman whose extraordinary capacity for empathy was matched by a deep belief in romance — and whose hopes for love often collided with reality.
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Now that this population is finally getting highlighted more directly in media, what should these shows and movies be portraying?
Cite this Entry
“Playing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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