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
Also, Tua Tagovailoa was told this week to stop thinking and just play and the team practiced playing up tempo more.
—
Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Vincent and Reaves are both playing up a spot from their more natural positions, although the 6-foot-6 Doncic could be matched up against Podziemski on defense for much of the night.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
When planning for sets up to 10 hours long, Summit began building a community of underground, unsigned artists, playing up to 15 of them at his shows.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Altagamma is also increasingly playing up the cultural and creative.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
Henry isn’t playing up to his usual standards so far this season, but is always a threat to put up a big game.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 11 Oct. 2025
Are prospects playing up to expectations?
—Dane Brugler, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
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
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
Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Vincent and Reaves are both playing up a spot from their more natural positions, although the 6-foot-6 Doncic could be matched up against Podziemski on defense for much of the night.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
When planning for sets up to 10 hours long, Summit began building a community of underground, unsigned artists, playing up to 15 of them at his shows.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Altagamma is also increasingly playing up the cultural and creative.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
Henry isn’t playing up to his usual standards so far this season, but is always a threat to put up a big game.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 11 Oct. 2025
Are prospects playing up to expectations?
—Dane Brugler, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing up
Verb
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For Arsenal, consistency of performances and results is so important to Arteta, with the 43-year-old often highlighting its significance in building them back to being one of Europe’s elite sides.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Sold to Menemsha, studied in its craft, genuinely tense and gorgeously shot, highlighting the heavenly mountains and a historical hell.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Brand them for experience, emphasizing aroma and taste, not just potency.—
Jahan Marcu,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
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South Korea is committed to sharing this expertise with the US too, Lee said, emphasizing their bilateral relationship included economic, technological, and military cooperation.—
Will Ripley,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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McCann responded to Inzunza’s proposal by stressing that the park’s development had been underway for three years and that extensive public outreach had already taken place.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Oct. 2025
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For cool-season grasses, trim off no more than two-thirds of the stems to avoid stressing these plants.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Trump made the announcement on Truth Social after the Canadian province of Ontario began running a television advertisement in the United States featuring a speech from former President Ronald Reagan.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
24 Oct. 2025
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The second look channeled her inner angel, featuring a silky camisole, a short set and massive quilted wings.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Playing up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing%20up. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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