plays out

Definition of plays outnext
present tense third-person singular of play out

Example Sentences

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 This dynamic plays out among many sales teams. Katy George, Time, 11 May 2026 District Judge Richard Leon, a Bush appointee, has halted the construction project as the legal case plays out. Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026 Federal courts have allowed Cook to stay on the job while the case plays out. Joe Walsh, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026 Then again, the Marlins could simply keep Alcantara, see how this season plays out, and revisit his future over the winter. Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026 If the latter scenario plays out and the Pacers win two or more of their remaining games, the Kings could finish with the worst record, but that is highly unlikely. Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026 Those are two key factors courts weigh in issuing TROs, after which a judge gives a fuller consideration as the legal process plays out. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026 No matter how Tuesday’s game plays out, this tournament has been a success for Venezuela. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026 Kind of seeing what plays out and all that stuff. Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plays out
Verb
  • Research from It’s Time To Log Off found that the average person spends one full day each week online, while 34% of people had checked Facebook within the last 10 minutes.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026
  • Research from It’s Time To Log Off found the average person spends one full day each week online, while 34% of people had checked Facebook within the last 10 minutes.
    Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • On average, a medium-sized data center consumes roughly 110 million gallons of water per year for cooling, which is enough to power the annual water use of about 1,000 households.
    Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 13 May 2026
  • According to some reports, globally, this consumes something like 1-2% of global energy consumption.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • Leaking faucets, pipes, and air conditioning units should be repaired, and the ground next to the foundation should be sloped so that surface water drains away from the building.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 14 May 2026
  • Most varieties prefer full sun to partial shade and rich, slightly acidic soil that drains well.
    Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 13 May 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
  • In a recent bid to boost transparency, Homeland Security announced a broad rollout of body cameras for immigration officers in Minneapolis as the government draws down ICE’s presence there.
    Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
  • In a recent bid to boost transparency, DHS announced a broad rollout of body cameras for immigration officers in Minneapolis as the government also draws down ICE's presence there.
    CBS News, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The system enables closed-loop recycling, which extends material life cycles and reduces cotton emissions and pollution.
    Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
  • Oatmeal's beta-glucan fiber helps curb hunger, supports weight loss, and reduces harmful visceral fat.
    Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • This particular pair has a thick sole that absorbs impact on different terrains, plus a comfy sockliner to prevent blisters.
    Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
  • The material absorbs 70% more moisture than cotton to help keep you cool and dry.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • Tarik Skubal, the two-time American League Cy Young Award winner, can throw about as hard as Misiorowski, but Skubal uses his four-seam fastball less than forty per cent of the time.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
  • Comfortable on either flank, and equally happy shooting with his left or right foot, Guardiola initially deployed Semenyo in a No 10 role, but now uses him mostly from the right flank.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 17 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plays out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plays%20out. Accessed 18 May. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster