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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 up
Ricky Saints Michael Cole kept playing up the fact that Trick Williams has never beaten Ricky Saints, which essentially telegraphed a Trick Williams win.
—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
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
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing up
Verb
-
However, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy on Thursday warned that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz would only be permitted via routes designated by Tehran, highlighting that risks to the key shipping lane remain.
-
The show includes photos, cultural projects, personal stories and more, highlighting the establishment and development of the Hmong community in Minnesota.
Verb
-
The brand aims to stand out in-aisle with clear positioning, emphasizing design, performance, and practical sustainability.
-
That was despite intensifying heat that Cage and the communications team would make a point of emphasizing on-site and in messaging.
Verb
-
Novo Nordisk is stressing the overall health benefits of Wegovy, including lower risk of cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
-
Beijing, Bangalore and Shanghai achieved scores of around 85% each, with Asian respondents stressing that their cities are welcoming to everyone.
Verb
-
The memorial’s wall featuring the 98 names will be completed first, and the canopy feature will be completed and funded at a later date, Diaz said.
-
There will be a three-day retrospective of Rajamouli’s work at the French Cinematheque from June 26 to 26, featuring a masterclass with the director on June 27.
Cite this Entry
“Playing up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing%20up. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
