PLAYS OUT Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

plays out

verb

present tense third-person singular of play out

as in spends

to make complete use of we've finally played out the leftovers from that huge holiday meal

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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 plays out But some in the city are waiting to see how a separate court battle in Boston over changes to multiple national parks, including the President’s House, plays out for answers. — Danny Freeman, CNN Money, 28 June 2026 Cook, who has remained in the post while the case plays out, called the allegations a pretext to oust her over monetary policy differences. — Will Dunham, USA Today, 28 June 2026 The heroic death plays out almost as a footnote in an otherwise grim day at sea. — Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2026 This comes as a Big 12 lawsuit against the university and others, plays out in court. — S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 16 June 2026 Cynthia wants to get down to the bottom of Shamea’s erratic behavior, and the scene plays out like an angsty teen getting sent to the principal’s office. — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 15 June 2026 Less than two miles away, a similarly bustling scene plays out on California Avenue, often considered Palo Alto’s second downtown. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 9 June 2026 The thriller plays out from the perspective of both women. — Lynette Rice, Deadline, 9 June 2026 In humans with advanced metabolic disease, the same collapse plays out in Charcot’s foot, where the bones of the ankle and midfoot fracture and disintegrate under the weight of a body the metabolism can no longer regulate. — Joshua Moen, STAT, 8 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plays out

Verb

However, Mahomes still spends some time with baseball, helping coach his 3-year-old son, Bronze play the game.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
Its share count could drop by 4% if the chipmaker spends its entire current authorization.

— Kif Leswing, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of spends

Verb

The chips are power-hungry (a ChatGPT AI query consumes about ten times as much energy as a normal Google search) and also generate a lot of heat, which requires cooling systems.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 27 Sep. 2026
Maneuvering consumes energy, and atmospheric flight produces substantial heating and drag.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of consumes

Verb

If a bureaucratic process exhausts whatever time a citizen has available, then benefits are lost or rights are denied.

— Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026
That’s because even ordinary winds – and far worse, storms and earthquakes – cause tall buildings to sway, which ruins people’s concentration, wrecks their mood, and even exhausts them.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 July 2026

Definition of exhausts

Verb

Standard usage draws down a prepaid credit balance, while enterprise customers can arrange invoicing.

— Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Asked about arms sales to Taiwan, Hegseth downplayed concerns that a multi-billion-dollar package could be ‌affected as the United States draws down its weapons stockpiles amid the Middle ⁠East conflict.

— Reuters, NBC news, 30 May 2026

Definition of draws down

Verb

This creates a cleaner edge, makes mowing easier, and reduces competition between the tree and turf.

— Tricia Goss, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2026
The plan also reduces investment in Central Maryland transit by approximately $360 million, or 12%, while shrinking the Baltimore region’s share of statewide transit investment from 34% to 30%.

— Brian O'Malley, Baltimore Sun, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of reduces

Verb

Put Risk And Responsibility Into The Business Case If the operator earns a referral fee while the provider absorbs refunds, fraud and customer service, those costs belong in the margin calculation.

— Rishi Katdare, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026
The oil itself applies with a buttery glide, absorbs in five seconds, and doesn’t feel sticky or greasy.

— Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of absorbs

Verb

The final design uses a carbon fiber frame with a central battery and eight arms supporting the motors and propellers.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
The main restaurant uses 70 percent local suppliers, and the hotel’s water supply is harnessed from rainwater tanks.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of uses

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“Plays out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plays%20out. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of plays out

verb

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