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
Despite playing before halftime, Scheierman and Walsh were not put back on the court again until the final seconds.
—
Jay King, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Investigators pointed to a March 23, 2023, game involving Rozier, then playing for the Charlotte Hornets.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
She's been gone for over 20 years, and so to win this for a soap opera, playing a villain, is really wonderful.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Other credits include playing opposite Nicolas Cage in Between Worlds, starring alongside Hilary Duff and Jonathan Bennett in The Haunting of Sharon Tate, and headlining Lifetime’s Psycho Sister-in-Law.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
Her creative journey began at eleven, playing drums in a hardcore band in Bogotá; attending the Berklee School of Music and experiencing Boston’s club scene compelled her to change tracks.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Cameron Barr, owner of Craft + Tailored and a longtime vintage watch dealer, served as the film’s horological advisor—and ended up playing himself on screen.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
Douglas Dulgarian began making noise as TAGABOW in 2017, playing house shows and releasing early cassettes like 2017’s Sweater Curse.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Midthunder, who starred in 20th Century’s Predator movie Prey, is playing the young woman.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Jay King, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Investigators pointed to a March 23, 2023, game involving Rozier, then playing for the Charlotte Hornets.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
She's been gone for over 20 years, and so to win this for a soap opera, playing a villain, is really wonderful.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Other credits include playing opposite Nicolas Cage in Between Worlds, starring alongside Hilary Duff and Jonathan Bennett in The Haunting of Sharon Tate, and headlining Lifetime’s Psycho Sister-in-Law.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
Her creative journey began at eleven, playing drums in a hardcore band in Bogotá; attending the Berklee School of Music and experiencing Boston’s club scene compelled her to change tracks.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Cameron Barr, owner of Craft + Tailored and a longtime vintage watch dealer, served as the film’s horological advisor—and ended up playing himself on screen.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
Douglas Dulgarian began making noise as TAGABOW in 2017, playing house shows and releasing early cassettes like 2017’s Sweater Curse.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Midthunder, who starred in 20th Century’s Predator movie Prey, is playing the young woman.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing
Verb
-
Hollywood on Sunday night, with Tory Burch recreating the striking green slip via knotted detailing that mirrored the draping of the original dress.—
Emily Chan,
Vogue,
27 Oct. 2025
-
In the viral TikTok, Grace and Thames — who were both in costume — stood next to each other while recreating a famous elevator scene from 500 Days of Summer.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Earlier in the day, Knowles spoke with Sherri Shepherd on the Sherri show, and praised Blue Ivy for performing onstage with her mother in front of crowds of 70,000 people per night.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest-performing models to help make its forecasts.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Some are clearly ironic, but the line between blind devotion and mocking derision is seriously mangled.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The video, which has racked up tens of millions of views on social media, was widely interpreted as mocking the death of Kirk, who was assassinated by a shot through the neck last month.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With sizes ranging from 0 to 20 and four different inseam options (19, 23, 25, and 28 inches), these lightweight and sweat-wicking leggings are perfect for everything from lounging to long workouts, with plenty of space to keep your essentials in easy reach.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The extra-wide, contoured seat and tall backrest make lounging effortless, while the 450-pound weight capacity adds peace of mind.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Sapana Grossi, managing partner at the Shah Grossi Law Firm in Los Angeles, represents restaurants and chefs.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Others joined after a long path in permaculture, with deep experience growing food and managing soil and water.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And congressional elections this Sunday are expected to further go against his party, putting additional pressure on the currency.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
But today, wearable tech and nano-cameras are putting even upstanding poker players on their guard.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Actor Wilson Cruz cited Rebel Without a Cause as a massive influence on his life and career as a gay man portraying a gay character.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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Star Kenzi Richardson spoke with Parents about her adventures portraying a teen vampire and making her dreams come true on Disney Channel.—
Allison McClain Merrill,
Parents,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Maybe that was just art-making imitating life.—
Thomas Page,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
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How does this help democracy, imitating what Texas is doing?—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Playing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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