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
Like Van Ness, Morgan is a former first-round pick who hasn’t yet lived up to that billing but has a chance to do so this season while playing the most pivotal role of his career so far.
—
Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 28 May 2026
For the first time in nearly two decades, the Eagle Rock softball team will be playing in a CIF LA City Section title game.
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 28 May 2026
As a rookie, Egbuka was tasked with playing all four receiver positions.
—Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 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
Further factions emerge from there, as people start playing the game within the Squid Game, forming pockets of friendships and alliances, real and fake.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 26 Dec. 2024
The World Junior tournament is always good for some surprises; a couple of unexpected players emerging as top scorers or playing well in big moments, or a traditional top nation getting upset in the medal round.
—Corey Pronman, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
As the Lightning enter the NHL’s three-day holiday break, Cooper said playing the Panthers on back-to-back nights was a great team-building opportunity after an early-season schedule that was light on Atlantic Division opponents.
—Eduardo A. Encina, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024
Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 28 May 2026
For the first time in nearly two decades, the Eagle Rock softball team will be playing in a CIF LA City Section title game.
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 28 May 2026
As a rookie, Egbuka was tasked with playing all four receiver positions.
—Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 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
Further factions emerge from there, as people start playing the game within the Squid Game, forming pockets of friendships and alliances, real and fake.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 26 Dec. 2024
The World Junior tournament is always good for some surprises; a couple of unexpected players emerging as top scorers or playing well in big moments, or a traditional top nation getting upset in the medal round.
—Corey Pronman, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
As the Lightning enter the NHL’s three-day holiday break, Cooper said playing the Panthers on back-to-back nights was a great team-building opportunity after an early-season schedule that was light on Atlantic Division opponents.
—Eduardo A. Encina, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing
Verb
-
Indeed, chats with some owners of vintage Lambrettas say this riding posture tracks with older models as well, so Royal Alloy did their homework in recreating the look and feel of the SX200, but with more power, speed and modern technology.—
William Roberson,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
-
Building on that goal, researchers in Shanghai used human pluripotent stem cells to create a three-dimensional sinoatrial node organoid by recreating signals normally seen during early embryo development.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
The mother spends her waking hours working on other people’s farms and performing tasks the neighbors prefer not to do themselves.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
As good as both teams’ hitters have been performing this season, these two pitchers were throwing at a level that even major-league scouts could appreciate.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Hilton's campaign then shared Steyer's post on X, mocking the Democrat.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2026
-
Underneath the topmost layer (a user clicking through a browser), a comprehensive E2E setup involves mocking production endpoints, intercepting network requests, seeding databases, making precise assertions at every layer of the stack and integrating tightly with CI pipelines.—
Ethan Pronev,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
BigMouth Butter Stick Inflatable Pool Noodle An inflatable pool noodle is just the right summer accessory for lounging around in the water or swimming in style.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 May 2026
-
Some of the episode’s interiors were built alongside the regular Widow’s Bay sets, so breaks for her –– while costumed in 18th century clothing –– were spent taking a breather on a city hall desk or lounging on a couch that would certainly be out of place in 1702.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
For Dos Santos, these challenges define the demands of managing LAFC.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
-
Gameplay revolves around managing a beautiful island where time advances in real-time.—
Jason Bennett,
Arkansas Online,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Keep putting that chip on his shoulder.—
Bruce Feldman,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
Goldstein co-wrote the script with fellow Ted Lasso co-creator Joe Kelly and penned it specifically for Lopez, while also putting himself in the leading man role.—
Kirsten Chuba,
HollywoodReporter,
27 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
-
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
-
Pratt has been portraying the city as a lethal hellscape.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Both of Cook’s pregnancies were written into Criminal Minds, with her sons portraying her children on the series.—
Jacqueline Weiss,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Playing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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