as in spends
to make complete use of
we've finally played out the leftovers from that huge holiday meal
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Recent Examples of plays out
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
While that plays out, Gomez's term is slated to end June 30.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
Of course the Kentucky Derby showed more of the same, but depending on how the race plays out at Saratoga, Pletcher’s charge may not be coming from far off the pace.
—Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
And watching how this plays out will be very important.
—CBS News, 24 May 2026
How that distinction plays out may define the next decade of the energy industry.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 18 May 2026
This dynamic plays out among many sales teams.
—Katy George, Time, 11 May 2026
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
While that plays out, Gomez's term is slated to end June 30.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
Of course the Kentucky Derby showed more of the same, but depending on how the race plays out at Saratoga, Pletcher’s charge may not be coming from far off the pace.
—Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
And watching how this plays out will be very important.
—CBS News, 24 May 2026
How that distinction plays out may define the next decade of the energy industry.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 18 May 2026
This dynamic plays out among many sales teams.
—Katy George, Time, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plays out
Verb
-
Magloire, who once dreamed of becoming a professional soccer career and has mixed feelings about the World Cup’s current state, nowadays spends more time thinking about movements on a stage than on a soccer field.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2026
-
When a company spends that much political capital warning about existential risk, policymakers eventually act on those warnings.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
When the algae die and decompose, the process consumes oxygen that fish need to survive.—
Tyler Quattrin,
Twin Cities,
10 June 2026
-
The brain itself consumes roughly 20-25% of resting metabolic energy in humans, compared to just 3-4% in most mammals.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Set a clearer end time today so work supports wellbeing rather than drains it.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
-
Overthinking at work drains emotional energy because your brain never fully relaxes.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
If the search for a large outdoor planter exhausts you—just get a terra-cotta planter.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
6 Apr. 2026
-
As the oil blockade quickly exhausts Cuba’s supply of fuel, triggering a series of lengthy, island-wide blackouts, many here are exhausted and are becoming increasingly vocal about their desire for fundamental changes in Cuba.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The Bulgarian warrant pilot has to clear before any of the $100 million pipeline behind it draws down.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
The future demands a neutral, interoperable and intelligent global trade infrastructure that reduces friction, expands inclusion and restores trust across borders.—
Meelan Gupta,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Unplugging protects against power surges and reduces fire hazards.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Homeowners rely on insurance to pool risks so that no individual absorbs the full cost of a shock.—
The Conversation,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
-
Microfiber absorbs four times more moisture than cotton and the nubby texture grabs and holds onto soil until it is washed away.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
Verb
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This automatically measures the distance between the edges of the folding panels, uses sensors to detect offsets and recalibrates the brightness of adjacent LEDs to hide the tiny slot.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 June 2026
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Prioritise, which uses AI to surface your most important notifications first, and Summarise, which condenses long chat threads into a quick summary without opening the app.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plays out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plays%20out. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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