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
Collins and Buddy Carter are playing up their conservative records on Capitol Hill, while former college football coach Derek Dooley pitches himself as a political outsider.
—
ABC News, 19 May 2026
The six swings-and-misses on his fastball represented a season high and indicated that the rest of his mix was playing up and keeping opposing hitters off balance.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 18 May 2026
Peeke, meanwhile, had an up-and-down season, starting well while playing up in the lineup with Hampus Lindholm.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026
Rose said Ye bought into her flattery and liked the idea of drinking booze and playing up his bigshot status.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026
What’s the harm in asking, or playing up the theatrics?
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2026
On his Instagram page, Simonds appears to relish in playing up an overly-confident wrestler.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
Repossi finessed the rose gold used in its latest spiraling Blast high jewelry pieces, playing up its yellow gleam under a gradient of orange gemstones.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
Lately, Laine noted, the WWE’s star villain Becky Lynch has been using some familiar-sounding language while playing up her status as a sore loser.
—Michael Ballaban, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
ABC News, 19 May 2026
The six swings-and-misses on his fastball represented a season high and indicated that the rest of his mix was playing up and keeping opposing hitters off balance.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 18 May 2026
Peeke, meanwhile, had an up-and-down season, starting well while playing up in the lineup with Hampus Lindholm.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026
Rose said Ye bought into her flattery and liked the idea of drinking booze and playing up his bigshot status.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026
What’s the harm in asking, or playing up the theatrics?
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2026
On his Instagram page, Simonds appears to relish in playing up an overly-confident wrestler.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
Repossi finessed the rose gold used in its latest spiraling Blast high jewelry pieces, playing up its yellow gleam under a gradient of orange gemstones.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
Lately, Laine noted, the WWE’s star villain Becky Lynch has been using some familiar-sounding language while playing up her status as a sore loser.
—Michael Ballaban, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing up
Verb
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In the last full-scale drill three years ago, crews simulated a hostage situation involving an explosive device, highlighting how the scenarios evolve over time.—
Hannah McIlree,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
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The event also included a special coronation honoring Derek, highlighting the inspiration behind the project and the impact the new space will have on pediatric patients and their families.—
Amari Riley,
Charlotte Observer,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Book warned that these conditions pose significant dangers for those living on the streets, emphasizing that even when temperatures dip slightly below 110 degrees, the heat remains hazardous for those suffering from dehydration.—
Manuel Bojorquez,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
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Amazon aims to bridge immediate post-disaster gaps, emphasizing proactive community engagement and coordination, while acknowledging that portable tech supports, but doesn't replace, long-term resilience investments.—
Monica Sanders,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Styles like feed-in braids, braided top knots, and cornrow bobs can create the illusion of fullness without stressing fragile strands.—
Omenaa Boakye,
InStyle,
15 June 2026
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Television commentators make that distinction, stressing that Arab Shia are fellow citizens, were before 1979, and will be after this conflict fades.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Perhaps one of the most famous rooms in the palace is the Hall of Mirrors featuring heavily ornate Baroque style gallery of mirrors.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
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He was originally spotted by the Swiss side when featuring for his country in the Toulon under-20 tournament four years ago.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Playing up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing%20up. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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