as in emphasizes
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of plays up
The faux-seriousness of The Immortal Man is especially egregious when the film plays up the television show’s worst behaviors.
—
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
The tour guide may have deflected my Phantom questions, but the opera house plays up just enough of the mystery.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2026
Beth Goldenberg’s costume design plays up the early 1980s and helps to define each character, such as the loud, pushy prints that Barbara wears.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
For an administration that plays up the language of inclusion and liberation, the absence of Black voices raises alarm.
—Darius Jones, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Parmesan creamed spinach is a delight and really plays up the buttery artichoke hearts.
—Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026
If his bat plays up to expectations and potential, his bat could protect De La Cruz in the lineup.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Known for its organic womenswear, childrenswear and baby clothing, the lifestyle brand plays up well-being, transparency and responsible production.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
The Hunting Wives actress plays up her black fringe gown with a diamond necklace and smokey eye makeup.
—Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
The tour guide may have deflected my Phantom questions, but the opera house plays up just enough of the mystery.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2026
Beth Goldenberg’s costume design plays up the early 1980s and helps to define each character, such as the loud, pushy prints that Barbara wears.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
For an administration that plays up the language of inclusion and liberation, the absence of Black voices raises alarm.
—Darius Jones, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Parmesan creamed spinach is a delight and really plays up the buttery artichoke hearts.
—Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026
If his bat plays up to expectations and potential, his bat could protect De La Cruz in the lineup.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Known for its organic womenswear, childrenswear and baby clothing, the lifestyle brand plays up well-being, transparency and responsible production.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
The Hunting Wives actress plays up her black fringe gown with a diamond necklace and smokey eye makeup.
—Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plays up
Verb
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But as O’Neill emphasizes, this process quickly becomes political.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
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The author emphasizes that these calculations illuminate the nation’s choices and values, noting that the cost extends beyond immediate expenditures to include long-term expenses such as disability payments and medical care for those injured in the conflict.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The conflict highlights a broader shift in digital advertising.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Mar. 2026
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Police say the incident highlights the dangers of relying on driver-assist technology, noting those features are not a substitute for being conscious, alert and sober behind the wheel.—
Cecilio Padilla,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The decal features a common saying in intelligence circles.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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The neighborhood features the Dilworth historic district, known for its 19th-century luxury estates.—
Chase Jordan
March 30,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Drought on its own already stresses water supplies, agriculture, and ecosystems.—
Daniel Manzo,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
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But Johnson stresses that this approach may not work for everyone—and that’s OK, too.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plays up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plays%20up. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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