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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in performs
to present a portrayal or performance of
played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in idles
to spend time in aimless activity
just played around while we waited for the bus to arrive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in manipulates
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
this is how we're going to play the situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of plays
Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
The designer has made the space feel like home down to the finishing touches such as the custom doorbell that plays a message from Beckham.
—Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2025
Holmgren, for instance, plays the four when teams alongside Isaiah Hartenstein but plays the five when Hartenstein is off the court.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Marin plays Javier, a beacon of strength and light in a city controlled by the cartel, with Ruiz as Gabriella, a wise and resilient woman from Nogales who looks after those in need.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2025
Breckenridge plays a single mom who takes a job as a hotel Santa Claus to get through the holidays.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
Fans of the stage show know the second act is a pivotal moment for Fiyero and, by extension, the man who plays him.
—Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Actress Natalie Dormer, who plays the duchess in an upcoming ITV drama, has also pulled out of promoting the show.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Instead, the generic ‘90s throwback action movie plays like a string of car-crash pileups and urban destruction with little of interest in terms of the human element.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
After the Chiefs went up 14-0, Jacksonville responded with a touchdown drive that was aided by one of the most baffling Chiefs defensive plays of the season.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
Flagg played well, with a couple of nice defensive plays, including a highlight-reel block that led to a dunk by Anthony Davis.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2025
There were just two points separating the teams after Blake Grupe’s field goal in the fourth quarter, before two crucial plays from Josh Allen – first a 27-yard scramble through the Saints defense, then a 28-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Kincaid – extended the Bills’ lead.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
On the last Thursday of the month, Public Assembly presents a show featuring three original one act plays based on a theme that was suggested the month prior by the audience.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
In the show, Addison Rae plays one of Gein's victims — Evelyn Hartley, a bright, small-town babysitter whose mysterious disappearance becomes a key thread in the series.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
The designer has made the space feel like home down to the finishing touches such as the custom doorbell that plays a message from Beckham.
—Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2025
Holmgren, for instance, plays the four when teams alongside Isaiah Hartenstein but plays the five when Hartenstein is off the court.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Marin plays Javier, a beacon of strength and light in a city controlled by the cartel, with Ruiz as Gabriella, a wise and resilient woman from Nogales who looks after those in need.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2025
Breckenridge plays a single mom who takes a job as a hotel Santa Claus to get through the holidays.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
Fans of the stage show know the second act is a pivotal moment for Fiyero and, by extension, the man who plays him.
—Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Actress Natalie Dormer, who plays the duchess in an upcoming ITV drama, has also pulled out of promoting the show.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Instead, the generic ‘90s throwback action movie plays like a string of car-crash pileups and urban destruction with little of interest in terms of the human element.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
But there were a handful of plays that really showed the breadth of his ability and his growth as a quarterback.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
After the Chiefs went up 14-0, Jacksonville responded with a touchdown drive that was aided by one of the most baffling Chiefs defensive plays of the season.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
Flagg played well, with a couple of nice defensive plays, including a highlight-reel block that led to a dunk by Anthony Davis.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2025
There were just two points separating the teams after Blake Grupe’s field goal in the fourth quarter, before two crucial plays from Josh Allen – first a 27-yard scramble through the Saints defense, then a 28-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Kincaid – extended the Bills’ lead.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
On the last Thursday of the month, Public Assembly presents a show featuring three original one act plays based on a theme that was suggested the month prior by the audience.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plays
Verb
-
In a bold and humorous nod to one of the most famous moments of his career, the NBA icon has announced his decision to partner with Hennessy as his go-to spirits brand, unveiling the partnership in a commercial that playfully recreates the tone and style of his 2010 ESPN special, The Decision.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The Woody Belt authentically recreates Woody’s iconic buckle in leather with gold-brass studding and laser-etched Saddleman pose.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Dyson Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Deals The Dyson V8 is the brand's base model but still performs exceptionally well.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Indeed, the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro performs 13 different functions, including proofing and dehydrating, and can even accommodate an entire 14-pound turkey.—
Mark Marino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Elon Musk wades back into UK politics, backs leader of new right-wing party, mocks rival.—
,
FOXNews.com,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Student imitates Charlie Kirk's death and mocks him, goes up to statue where TPUSA members are and imitates his death again, and spits near them.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Complicating matters is the insidious Host character (voiced by Len Cunningham’s father, Liam Cunningham), who manipulates the players’ reality.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
-
All of this is possible because hackers use a tactic called SEO poisoning, which manipulates Google's search results so their fake websites appear near the top.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
My priority is transparent, accountable leadership that puts residents first and keeps our community affordable, safe and thriving for all.—
Miami Herald Staff,
Miami Herald,
8 Oct. 2025
-
In Germany, for instance, the organization that sponsors baby boxes puts an ad in the paper when a baby gets dropped off offering to help the mother.—
Alana Semuels,
Time,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Upcoming dramas include Sally Wainwright series Riot Women and Hugo Blick’s California Avenue, both of which are debuting internationally at MIPCOM Cannes next week.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
7 Oct. 2025
-
In Mexico, micro-dramas are booming, led by ViX Micro, mostly romantic micro novelas.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There are near-endless uses for these devices—some shoppers even attach them to their dogs’ collars.—
Genevieve Cepeda,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Oct. 2025
-
What are the best uses for opalite?—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Episode 4 finds both Ellen and Julia throwing themselves headlong into plans that require them to keep up major ruses.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plays. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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