1
as in recreates
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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2
as in performs
to present a portrayal or performance of
played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic
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3
as in mocks
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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4
as in idles
to spend time in aimless activity
just played around while we waited for the bus to arrive
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5
as in manipulates
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
this is how we're going to play the situation
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6
as in puts
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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1
as in dramas
a written work in which the story is told through speech and action that is intended to be acted out on stage
we'll be putting on a school play using that stage
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2
as in uses
the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose
the host's sense of humor was obviously in play during the awards ceremony
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3
as in ruses
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
the guy at the bar made an unusually creative play to get her phone number
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Cite this Entry
“Plays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plays. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.
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