as in highlighting
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on
that TV news program plays up sensational stories just to get higher ratings
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Recent Examples of playing up
Politicians in both countries have instrumentalized the hostility to win legitimacy, selectively playing up grievances with the other side.
—
Thomas De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2025
Baggy jeans can also make playing up bold pieces a lot more fun.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Footwear News, 22 Sep. 2025
But the Guardians are sure playing up to the challenge, and with one more three-game series left in Cleveland to go for the Tigers, things could get very interesting very quickly.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 18 Sep. 2025
There are a couple of reasons to believe Georgia Tech could pull the upset, starting with the Jackets' penchant for playing up to their competition the last few seasons.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Richland trimmed the deficit with a focus on the ground game, as Kates and Gibson ran the ball right through the Panthers’ defense while playing up-tempo.
—Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025
There is depth here, ranging from Jaquez to Pelle Larsson to Powell playing up in position, with Myron Gardner under contract on a two-way deal.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
Now, Berrien is running as a Republican for governor and playing up his links to Trump in interviews and TV ads.
—Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Sometimes, the perfect solo trip means playing up the blissful solitude.
—Road Trips, AFAR Media, 6 Aug. 2025
Thomas De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2025
Baggy jeans can also make playing up bold pieces a lot more fun.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Footwear News, 22 Sep. 2025
But the Guardians are sure playing up to the challenge, and with one more three-game series left in Cleveland to go for the Tigers, things could get very interesting very quickly.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 18 Sep. 2025
There are a couple of reasons to believe Georgia Tech could pull the upset, starting with the Jackets' penchant for playing up to their competition the last few seasons.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Richland trimmed the deficit with a focus on the ground game, as Kates and Gibson ran the ball right through the Panthers’ defense while playing up-tempo.
—Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025
There is depth here, ranging from Jaquez to Pelle Larsson to Powell playing up in position, with Myron Gardner under contract on a two-way deal.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
Now, Berrien is running as a Republican for governor and playing up his links to Trump in interviews and TV ads.
—Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Sometimes, the perfect solo trip means playing up the blissful solitude.
—Road Trips, AFAR Media, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing up
Verb
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In October 2025 Pope Leo called for a ‘true ecological conversion’ and urged citizens to press governments for stronger action and highlighting concrete steps like a Vatican solar program and cross-faith climate work.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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The defense then played an 11-minute video highlighting Combs’ charitable work and life as a father of seven.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Prosecutorial strategy From the prosecution’s perspective, emphasizing the size of the evidence file serves multiple purposes.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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However, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence downplayed the shift in the latest assessment, emphasizing at the time that the overall conclusions had not changed.—
Nora Gamez Torres,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There’s no need to invest in something bigger than your budget allows, so being as upfront as possible will save you from stressing later.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
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The Dodgers returned to stressing out their opponents rather than themselves, trying to make something happen.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After assembling the nearly 10-inch towering figure, featuring poseable legs, wings, and head, kids can activate stud shooters under each wing.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
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Other potential Marvel projects on the horizon include Doctor Strange 3, a secret project produced by Scarlett Johansson, and another Deadpool-adjacent mutant movie featuring Ryan Reynolds.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Playing up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing%20up. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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