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
Marcus tries to balance pushing Nick to keep playing while knowing his older brother has to do what’s best for him and his family.
—
Joe Smith, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Things get clubbier in the basement Music Room, all red velvet with an indoor-outdoor bar for smokers and a modelesque DJ playing pumping house on our visit.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 May 2026
Lama, a social activist of several decades, sheds any sense of artifice in playing the headstrong Pirati, a woman whose convictions are as compelling as her desires, her vulnerabilities and even her hypocrisies.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 May 2026
Now playing in theaters, Obsession also stars Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless and Andy Richter.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 May 2026
Kids can be heard playing in the background.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Of the 48 teams playing in this year’s FIFA World Cup, seven will be housed and train in California throughout June and July.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2026
At a press conference Wednesday announcing the bill, lawmakers cited studies showing that the cost of playing youth sports has risen by 46% in five years, with many families paying more than $5,000 per child for a single season.
—Kenny Jacoby, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Durkin started playing football with the Orland Park Pioneers in first grade and was a lineman.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Joe Smith, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Things get clubbier in the basement Music Room, all red velvet with an indoor-outdoor bar for smokers and a modelesque DJ playing pumping house on our visit.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 May 2026
Lama, a social activist of several decades, sheds any sense of artifice in playing the headstrong Pirati, a woman whose convictions are as compelling as her desires, her vulnerabilities and even her hypocrisies.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 May 2026
Now playing in theaters, Obsession also stars Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless and Andy Richter.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 May 2026
Kids can be heard playing in the background.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Of the 48 teams playing in this year’s FIFA World Cup, seven will be housed and train in California throughout June and July.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2026
At a press conference Wednesday announcing the bill, lawmakers cited studies showing that the cost of playing youth sports has risen by 46% in five years, with many families paying more than $5,000 per child for a single season.
—Kenny Jacoby, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Durkin started playing football with the Orland Park Pioneers in first grade and was a lineman.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing
Verb
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Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
-
Omni’s Tiki Social is a nod towards recreating the tiki drinking culture of America in the mid-20th Century.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Losing Fried would be a gut punch for most organizations, but with Schlittler continuing his ascension into stardom, the Yankees might be able to continue performing as one of the league’s best clubs without much of a blip.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
-
Dara performing during a dress rehearsal in Vienna on Saturday.—
Andrew Jones,
NBC news,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Vargas reached out to Charles via a TikTok DM to request a donation, and Charles posted a video on the platform mocking her message.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Three weeks after that self-mocking self-tape, a Mercedes-Benz was waiting outside one of Bournemouth’s student accommodation blocks.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Verb
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These palazzo pants are the sleek solution to looking put-together at the airport, walking around a new city, lounging by the pool, and more without sacrificing comfort.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
-
The video opens with Earle lounging by the beach, basking in the sun.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
Verb
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If managing cholesterol is a priority, aim to eat one cup of cooked oatmeal per day.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
17 May 2026
-
That’s why the younger version of himself — that kid who arrived in NASCAR two decades ago simply wanting to drive race cars —would never have imagined owning a team or managing a company.—
Greg Engle,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Using the latest version of Epic’s Unreal Engine, each Smugglers Run locale is heavily detailed, putting us in more of a dogfight as the Mandalorian chases down pirates and ex-Imperial officers.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2026
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Still, from December and March, Leonard was one of the best players in the NBA, playing enough games to qualify for end-of-season awards while largely putting his knee issues behind him.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
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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
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At the same time, a growing chorus of conservative policymakers and activists has begun to question whether the government should pay family caregivers at all, portraying the programs as wasteful and prone to fraud.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
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Clay Travis also pointed out how Dennis is bad for ESPN’s business by portraying SEC schools and fans as racist.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Playing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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