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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in performing

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

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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

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as in lounging

to spend time in aimless activity just played around while we waited for the bus to arrive

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in managing

to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently this is how we're going to play the situation

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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

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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 Rather than playing as two traditional wingers, in this moment, both players were on the left flank. — Art De Roché, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Rumors have circulated that Stan may be playing Harvey Dent, the district attorney who eventually becomes the villainous Two-Face and was previously portrayed by Aaron Eckhart, Tommy Lee Jones, and Billy Dee Williams. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026 The actor has performed with his band, Dennis Quaid and the Sharks, for decades, playing guitar and singing at shows around the country. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 If a camera spots an anomaly — the wrong gasket installed on an oven, for example — the system will shut that part of the line down and start playing loud music. — Andrea Hsu, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026 Leaders of prominent Jewish organizations, including the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Anti-Defamation League, came to Paramount’s defense, blasting the Emmy-winning actor known for playing the Hulk and roles in productions for HBO. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Then there’s the endless rotation of celebrities playing themselves. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing

Verb

The pair were recreating a photo of McLain and her mother when McLain was a baby.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2026
The roommates count down together before sharing one last group hug outside the OG house, recreating the kind of emotional farewell that closed out the original Jersey Shore.

— Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of recreating

Verb

When your fur baby isn’t lounging alongside you, the under-table space can serve as storage for outdoor essentials by simply removing the cushion.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2026
Place a sturdy tray on top to create a flat surface for drinks and snacks, or turn it into a coffee table when you’re done lounging.

— Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of lounging

Verb

Having a healthy lawn means managing soil conditions for the roots, mowing properly, and strengthening the density of the grass by overseeding.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
Asked about their firm’s primary hurdle in managing the current trade landscape, the vast majority (57 percent) said policy uncertainty, like tariffs changing with little notice, as their foremost challenge.

— Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of managing

Verb

But if not, there’s nothing wrong with playing an experienced guy such as Fowler and not putting Lindstein in a position to fail.

— Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
The ratios offer a little more room for expenses by putting a little less toward savings than the longstanding gold standard, the 50/30/20 budget.

— Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of putting

Verb

The formula is one of those shampoos formulated for a really great wash—delivering moisture and smoothing without toying too far into volumizing, densifying, or hair growth.

— Ellie Davis, Vogue, 25 June 2026
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

Definition of toying

Verb

Footage from the event showed an actress portraying Nikki screaming at and startling guests.

— Denis Akbari, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Monroe Mayor Robert Burns, a Republican, seized on Newsom’s visit in a post on X, portraying the California governor’s appearance as evidence that Monroe, and North Carolina, have become politically important enough to draw national attention.

— Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026