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
The teen was playing basketball at the park when he was approached by a group of young adults, who asked the teen if he was affiliated with a gang and tried to start a fight, police said.
—
Brandon Downs, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
Guys were playing hard, everybody on that drive was doing their job, and getting guys down on the ground.
—Mike Kaye
updated January 11, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
Over the past few years, the actress and TikTok creator has frequently gone viral for her hilarious interactions with guests at Disneyland while playing Snow White's Evil Queen.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Ware joked after practice about watching both of his schools playing in Friday night’s national semifinal college football game, with Indiana (the second of his schools) defeating Oregon (the first) for the right to face the University of Miami for the championship.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Carter’s breakthrough role was playing roller-skating chef Nauls in The Thing opposite Kurt Russell.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 10 Jan. 2026
Last week, four Republic of Ireland internationals playing in the Women’s Super League in England, Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace) and Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), chose not to have the poppy on their team shirts.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025
SpringHill’s involvement signals a likely retention of the original’s format, with real sports stars playing themselves as clients of the fictional sports agency.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
Tyler Lockett, who was playing his first game in the silver and black, had five catches for 44 yards.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Brandon Downs, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
Guys were playing hard, everybody on that drive was doing their job, and getting guys down on the ground.
—Mike Kaye
updated January 11, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
Over the past few years, the actress and TikTok creator has frequently gone viral for her hilarious interactions with guests at Disneyland while playing Snow White's Evil Queen.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Ware joked after practice about watching both of his schools playing in Friday night’s national semifinal college football game, with Indiana (the second of his schools) defeating Oregon (the first) for the right to face the University of Miami for the championship.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Carter’s breakthrough role was playing roller-skating chef Nauls in The Thing opposite Kurt Russell.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 10 Jan. 2026
Last week, four Republic of Ireland internationals playing in the Women’s Super League in England, Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace) and Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), chose not to have the poppy on their team shirts.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025
SpringHill’s involvement signals a likely retention of the original’s format, with real sports stars playing themselves as clients of the fictional sports agency.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
Tyler Lockett, who was playing his first game in the silver and black, had five catches for 44 yards.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing
Verb
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Hailey Bieber broke the internet yesterday by recreating one of Gisele Bündchen's iconic Victoria's Secret photoshoots.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Some mills are recreating the natural fiber’s grain on denim fabrics to give the look of linen without the premium price.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Inside, a lavish cocktail reception featured ice sculptures and live music by 35 musicians from the Philharmonic Orchestra of Puerto Rico, performing familiar compositions with a Latin twist.—
Sarah Jones,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Asked to select indicators that show how well a school is performing, most respondents pointed to student grade-level performance, student academic growth over time and graduation rates.—
Bruce Rauner,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Ricky Gervais has hosted the Golden Globes five times, making Hollywood sweat with his take-no-prisoners approach to jokes mocking showbiz.—
William Earl,
Variety,
30 Dec. 2025
-
Now Sweeney, 75, is breaking his silence on a decades-long feud with Chevy Chase after Chase proposed Sweeney appear in an SNL sketch mocking the AIDS epidemic.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Whether lounging in white wicker rocking chairs or eating outside off wrought iron tables, some patio furniture will always be reminiscent of her.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Spend your days exploring the biosphere or lounging on daybeds and in private gazebos on the beach.—
Gemma Price,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Her mother accompanied her to appointments, managing logistics and providing emotional support.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Tina Olson, a managing attorney with the Juvenile Lifer Unit in the State Appellate Defender Office, says the decision doesn't minimize the crimes committed – or the victims impacted – but instead ensures defendants are given fair punishments.—
Elaine Rojas-Castillo,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Lance Strait is one of hundreds of people whose car was damaged after putting gas at a King Soopers gas station in Parker earlier this week.—
Michael Abeyta,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Or, Allen could solidify his elite status by putting the team on his back much the same way that Jags fan did with Lawrence at a bar.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Venezuelan government has denied these allegations, portraying the agency as essential to defending national sovereignty against coups and foreign intervention.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
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He was best known for portraying Randy Benton on NBC's long-running Western The Virginian.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
James said while walking through the venue, imitating her excitement.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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The people who are imitating Walter Cronkite don’t have his ethic.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Playing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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