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
Dallas Stadium’s long-term grass future Once engineers figured out that drainage was a major problem in sustaining quality grass indoors, putting down a playing surface for a football, futbol or a soccer game wasn’t that hard.
—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2026
Even playing in the large San Francisco market and increasing payroll from $175 million in 2024 to $210 million in 2026.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
Goalkeeper Raúl Rangel was 18 years old and playing for Chivas de Guadalajara’s youth academy the last time Mexico faced South Korea in a World Cup match in 2018.
—Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Since breaking out as a wide-eyed teenager on the CBS daytime soap Guiding Light and the NBC period family drama American Dreams over two decades ago, Snow has made a career out of playing women whose beauty belies the storm of emotions brewing beneath the surface.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2026
Sure, there’s a new director (Aaron Sorkin, the screenwriter of the original, is taking over for David Fincher) and a new actor is playing Mark Zuckerberg (Jeremy Strong replaces Jesse Eisenberg, who turned down the project).
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 June 2026
His college career began at Indiana, before playing for Cincinnati the past two seasons and then transferring to reigning Big 12 Conference champion Texas Tech in January.
—CBS News, 17 June 2026
Georgia and Florida State had been working toward playing a neutral-site game during the 2028 season.
—Connor Riley, AJC.com, 17 June 2026
The hat trick was the 61st of Messi’s career, his 11th while playing in his national team colors and his first in the World Cup.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2026
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2026
Even playing in the large San Francisco market and increasing payroll from $175 million in 2024 to $210 million in 2026.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
Goalkeeper Raúl Rangel was 18 years old and playing for Chivas de Guadalajara’s youth academy the last time Mexico faced South Korea in a World Cup match in 2018.
—Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Since breaking out as a wide-eyed teenager on the CBS daytime soap Guiding Light and the NBC period family drama American Dreams over two decades ago, Snow has made a career out of playing women whose beauty belies the storm of emotions brewing beneath the surface.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2026
Sure, there’s a new director (Aaron Sorkin, the screenwriter of the original, is taking over for David Fincher) and a new actor is playing Mark Zuckerberg (Jeremy Strong replaces Jesse Eisenberg, who turned down the project).
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 June 2026
His college career began at Indiana, before playing for Cincinnati the past two seasons and then transferring to reigning Big 12 Conference champion Texas Tech in January.
—CBS News, 17 June 2026
Georgia and Florida State had been working toward playing a neutral-site game during the 2028 season.
—Connor Riley, AJC.com, 17 June 2026
The hat trick was the 61st of Messi’s career, his 11th while playing in his national team colors and his first in the World Cup.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing
Verb
-
Crafted in white gold, the necklace was adorned with a pavé of blue and light blue sapphires, Paraiba tourmalines and diamonds — all brilliant-cut — recreating the depth and movement of the water.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
11 June 2026
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In 2020, Ramírez reunited with Jon Heder for a Burger King commercial, recreating their iconic cafeteria scene to promote BK's cheesy tots.—
Danny Horn,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
There isn't a second credits scene, but moviegoers who stick around until the very end will see Lilypad performing an amusing little rap with some of the other toys, including Bad Bunny's Pizza with Sunglasses, as the credits finish scrolling.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
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That, in turn, strengthens the case for the Bank of Korea to raise interest rates, the very pressure that has made Korean government bonds the worst-performing sovereign debt in the world this year.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Supporters jokingly call themselves unemployed and chronically online, while videos and memes mocking unemployment, corruption and political dysfunction have attracted millions of views.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
-
Reese and the Dream played Indiana on Thursday as well, where Reese was caught mocking Clark by flailing around during the stoppage in play.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Based on the Los Angeles and Atlanta terminals, travelers on domestic flights typically spend one hour lounging before going through security, and those on international flights take about 90 minutes, Porter said.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
-
Beautifully landscaped, it shifts from shallow lounging areas suitable for children into deeper sections for proper swimming.—
Arion McNicoll,
TheWeek,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
The Spurs jumped out to a 29-point lead in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden before turning into a shell of themselves, somehow managing to give up the massive lead and hand the Knicks the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
-
France have been to the final of the last two World Cups and have deep experience of managing pressure in late rounds, and would be expected to see off the likes of Germany and The Netherlands on their way to the semifinal.—
Sam Leveridge,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Then there’s writing it, and then there’s putting it out.—
Holly Gleason,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
Despite her shooting woes, Clark still controlled the game by consistently putting teammates in position to score.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
17 June 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
-
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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In one section, Mayer turns her focus to Diana, portraying the late princess as a woman whose extraordinary capacity for empathy was matched by a deep belief in romance — and whose hopes for love often collided with reality.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
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Now that this population is finally getting highlighted more directly in media, what should these shows and movies be portraying?—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Playing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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