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
Vought, who helped write the policy blueprint known as Project 2025, is playing a major role during the shutdown, including on decisions over whether there are mass layoffs of federal employees instead of furloughs and what funding is cut and what is allowed to flow.
—
Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
George Clooney is playing a movie star, and that was sort of built into the idea.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
And when our American players have to control the crowd, that distracts them from playing.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The Bronx Bombers are a very good team, but these two foes always step up a notch when playing each other.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The Eras Tour kicked off in March 2023 and lasted through December 2024, with the 14-time Grammy winner playing 149 shows across five different continents.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025
Rae is billed as playing Evelyn Hartley, a teen girl who went missing in 1953.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
But teams are still playing the pass.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
Scottie said in an interview after playing a nine-hole practice round in May 2024.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
George Clooney is playing a movie star, and that was sort of built into the idea.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
And when our American players have to control the crowd, that distracts them from playing.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The Bronx Bombers are a very good team, but these two foes always step up a notch when playing each other.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The Eras Tour kicked off in March 2023 and lasted through December 2024, with the 14-time Grammy winner playing 149 shows across five different continents.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025
Rae is billed as playing Evelyn Hartley, a teen girl who went missing in 1953.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
But teams are still playing the pass.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
Scottie said in an interview after playing a nine-hole practice round in May 2024.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing
Verb
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Ryan and Crystal also reunited earlier this year, recreating their iconic Katz’s Deli scene for Hellmann's Super Bowl ad.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
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Rachel has now taken her love of puzzles off the island by launching her own puzzle company with partner Ryan Plaisted (who is known for recreating Survivor puzzles himself with Vexzle).—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Brewers ranked a more respectable 12th in slugging percentage, and some of their most dynamic hitters were either not performing or not yet on the team early in the season.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Dupieux’s films always feature prestigious French casts and have become a reference for young cinephiles, performing well at the local box office and selling around the world.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Last week, at the Glasgow stop of her Infinity Heart tour, Siwa unexpectedly ejected two fans from the show over a hoodie that featured Siwa photoshopped onto an egg, an image that appeared to be mocking her hairline.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Following the ruling, Newsom’s press office sent a mocking reply Abbott’s way.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Plus, save on stretchy leggings and wide-leg lounge pants, which are both great for traveling, lounging, and running errands.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
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Even the arm and backrests are adjustable to provide the maximum amount of comfort while lounging.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Containment is part of a larger plan for managing a wildfire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Pumpkin seed oil may have many health benefits, including boosting skin, hair, and heart health and managing menopause symptoms.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Or putting one inside a carry-on just in case.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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Shortly thereafter, Dumas turned Birkin’s dreams of an alternative carryall into reality — gifting her with a Birkin bag prototype and putting the silhouette on the market in 1984.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In 2010—back when the same Republican Party that now flags the dangers of food dyes and seed oils was portraying Let’s Move!—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
4 Oct. 2025
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The White House has also continued to troll House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries with AI videos portraying Jeffries in a sombrero and fake mustache.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Only one case has resulted in federal charges for imitating an officer – another break from the past four administrations, when roughly half of the ICE-imposter cases were charged under federal statutes.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
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The fact that these programs are becoming adept at imitating consciousness, however, may be all that matters for now.—
Webb Wright,
The Atlantic,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Playing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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