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
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
Still, Tuesday’s victory in front of thousands of Haitian fans underscored the importance of playing in front of a large and enthusiastic fan base.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
The singer shared a video of Milan playing piano alongside another boy playing the violin.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Despite playing just 14 games this postseason, the team has played a lot of hoops over the past few seasons.
—David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
Thanks for playing — and share your scores in the comments!
—Mark Cooper, New York Times, 3 June 2026
The Magic Ingredient Cao started by playing around with existing error-correcting codes.
—Quanta Magazine, 3 June 2026
For the first time in nearly two decades, the Eagle Rock softball team will be playing in a CIF LA City Section title game.
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 28 May 2026
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
Still, Tuesday’s victory in front of thousands of Haitian fans underscored the importance of playing in front of a large and enthusiastic fan base.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
The singer shared a video of Milan playing piano alongside another boy playing the violin.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Despite playing just 14 games this postseason, the team has played a lot of hoops over the past few seasons.
—David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
Thanks for playing — and share your scores in the comments!
—Mark Cooper, New York Times, 3 June 2026
The Magic Ingredient Cao started by playing around with existing error-correcting codes.
—Quanta Magazine, 3 June 2026
For the first time in nearly two decades, the Eagle Rock softball team will be playing in a CIF LA City Section title game.
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing
Verb
-
Yes, the grounds are grand–but the idea here is more about recreating a time gone by.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Several users also discussed homemade versions of the gravy, sharing recipes and tips for recreating it in their own kitchens.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The mother spends her waking hours working on other people’s farms and performing tasks the neighbors prefer not to do themselves.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
As good as both teams’ hitters have been performing this season, these two pitchers were throwing at a level that even major-league scouts could appreciate.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Hilton's campaign then shared Steyer's post on X, mocking the Democrat.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2026
-
Underneath the topmost layer (a user clicking through a browser), a comprehensive E2E setup involves mocking production endpoints, intercepting network requests, seeding databases, making precise assertions at every layer of the stack and integrating tightly with CI pipelines.—
Ethan Pronev,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
BigMouth Butter Stick Inflatable Pool Noodle An inflatable pool noodle is just the right summer accessory for lounging around in the water or swimming in style.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 May 2026
-
Some of the episode’s interiors were built alongside the regular Widow’s Bay sets, so breaks for her –– while costumed in 18th century clothing –– were spent taking a breather on a city hall desk or lounging on a couch that would certainly be out of place in 1702.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
White can point to patterns and minutes restrictions, and there is a reasonable basketball explanation for managing Boston's workload.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
-
The Spurs’ defense was incredibly connected, aggressively rotating on and off SGA doubles and managing not to get exposed on the back end.—
William Guillory,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Ironically, the best path forward for programs like that would be a wealthy donor putting money into the program.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
-
The Spurs will leave him open to shoot, putting an emphasis on him to knock his shots down.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The age-gap romance is one that Statsky said the writers have been toying around with for quite some time.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The bill is the result of six years of studying and toying around the edges of PBM issues.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Pratt has been portraying the city as a lethal hellscape.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Both of Cook’s pregnancies were written into Criminal Minds, with her sons portraying her children on the series.—
Jacqueline Weiss,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Playing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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