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 And Maye did it despite playing without much of the Patriots’ offensive arsenal. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026 But the move left Angel City playing a home game on the road in an effort to avoid the road and play at home in the playoffs. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026 Junior safety Naquan Griffin is starting to feel comfortable playing wide receiver for Richards. — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026 The second night has Texas playing UCLA in a Final Four rematch, with Notre Dame-South Carolina and Duke-USC the other two games. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026 The practice involves writing down your intrusive thoughts and fears, and even recording yourself talking about them, and playing that recording back to yourself. — Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026 There are plenty of great matchups today, but one worth playing takes place early in the day as the 49ers take on the Falcons. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing

Verb

That recreating the unsavory experiment would make for good television.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 29 Oct. 2026
Do not waste too much energy recreating the exact plan that just fell apart.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of recreating

Verb

Sure, public schools that can't afford to provide teachers with basic supplies like crayons and where nurses have to keep track of every bandage and packet of acetaminophen are performing surgery that costs $100,000-plus.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
Concerns have also been raised about the presence of immigration agents around voting centers and performing door knocks and street stops to try to identify voter fraud.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of performing

Verb

Meanwhile, Vision decrypts a mocking email exchange between Ultron and Paladin, who’s angry his unbreakable contract was broken.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026
As proof of how much of a joke this has become for people is that a sketch mocking their drama was part of the October 10 episode of Saturday Night Live UK.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of mocking

Verb

There are also three on-site dipping pools ranging in temperature, perfect for lounging about and taking in the sights of the nearby Looking Glass Arch.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
And the furnishings lean eclectic—midcentury, vintage, art-forward—with a living-meets-dining-room layout that accommodates group gatherings and lounging.

— Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of lounging

Verb

However, their power requirements create additional challenges for facilities already managing substantial electricity consumption.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
But Southeast Asian coordination may happen without ASEAN’s guidance, argues Hans Vriens, co-founder and managing partner of government affairs consultancy Vriens & Partners.

— Sam Beltran, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of managing

Verb

Matthieu Blazy did the same thing in reverse at Chanel, putting a pink lace shirt under a great slouchy tweed coat.

— Laurence Goldberg, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
Yoko said her daughter simply tried to prevent an agitated resident from biting others by putting her hand around the person’s chin.

— Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 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

Trump linked to an article portraying the Quebec victory as a setback for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
What readers are saying The comments express strong criticism of JD Vance, portraying him as lacking moral integrity and political acumen.

— Dan Merica, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026