PLAYING Synonyms: 170 Similar and Opposite Words

playing

verb

present participle of play

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

as in performing

to present a portrayal or performance of played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of playing 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 The 16-year-old Sullivan collected his first career MLS goal, playing a cross to Ben Bender and finishing the return pass to cut the deficit to 3-2. —

Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 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 Stephen Huesgen, 56, of Fraser, told Michigan Lottery officials that he's been playing the same set of numbers ever since a trip to Las Vegas decades ago. —

David Chiu, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026 European Film Promotion is playing host at the Cannes Film Festival to up-and-coming European producers, selected for its Producers on the Move program. —

Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 May 2026 The bittersweet and poignant film, which is also playing In Competition at Annecy next month, features a stellar voice cast including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Seth Rogen, Samira Wiley and Beanie Feldstein with Abbi Jacobson voicing the lead role of Sarah. —

Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 13 May 2026 Thanks for playing — and share your scores in the comments! —

Mark Cooper, New York Times, 7 May 2026 Paul and Barlow spent several minutes in the second half playing in the frontcourt, giving Nurse options to switch seamlessly while playing small when other Sixers bigs dealt with foul trouble. —

Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 7 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing

Verb

Explore options for hiking, sightseeing, and recreating outside of Yosemite Valley—and check the park website for real-time conditions, seasonal updates, and more trip-planning tools.

— Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
On this night, that spirit was on full display from families recreating iconic scenes to longtime enthusiasts gathering in celebration of a story that has spanned nearly five decades.

— Daily News, Daily News, 8 May 2026