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
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
What plays out in front of outsiders in the clubhouse is hardly a complete glimpse into the inner workings of a team.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
Kind of seeing what plays out and all that stuff.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 16 Mar. 2026
Khalil's legal team plans to challenge this latest ruling, which could allow the government to place him once more in immigration detention while his case plays out before an immigration judge.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 10 Mar. 2026
The floral theme plays out in covetable textiles and wallpapers, and in the ornate flowers Robinson carved on the ceilings of what are now the bar and sitting rooms.
—Amy Waldman, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
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
What plays out in front of outsiders in the clubhouse is hardly a complete glimpse into the inner workings of a team.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
Kind of seeing what plays out and all that stuff.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 16 Mar. 2026
Khalil's legal team plans to challenge this latest ruling, which could allow the government to place him once more in immigration detention while his case plays out before an immigration judge.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 10 Mar. 2026
The floral theme plays out in covetable textiles and wallpapers, and in the ornate flowers Robinson carved on the ceilings of what are now the bar and sitting rooms.
—Amy Waldman, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plays out
Verb
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Whether or not a school-age child spends their school day on a screen shouldn’t be dependent on where mom or dad can find a job.—
Abby McCloskey,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
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Rochester, for example, spends about 250,000 pounds ($330,000) a year on music, a substantial outlay for a provincial cathedral but less than some.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But still, global supply is running well short of the roughly 104 million barrels per day the world consumes.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The average American consumes more than 200 pounds of meat annually, and that amount is growing.—
Andrew Zaleski,
The Atlantic,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Track where sunlight falls throughout the day, note where wind picks up and confirm that water drains away from the area.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
-
What Sacks doesn’t get is that by financing and diplomatically supporting Israel, our country makes the crimes of the Israeli government possible, which stains America’s reputation in the world and drains our Treasury.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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Board member Nicole Gribstad also urged the committee to include an option that delays such a decision and exhausts all other financial alternatives before closing schools.—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 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
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Acidification reduces the pH of seawater, which also diminishes sound absorption, so the stain of ship’s engine noise spreads further, muffling the songs of humpbacks and the codas of sperm whales.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
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Each option reduces overall productivity, cutting supplies of basic foods, feed for livestock and key ingredients used in a wide range of food products.—
Aya S. Chacar,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The microfiber absorbs five times its weight in water and dries in a snap.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2026
-
This buffer absorbs rate changes and unexpected costs without disrupting the rest of your budget.—
Fazila Shahid Lodhi,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Renpho MorphoScan Nova Body Composition Scale uses dual-frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) to calculate the precise makeup of your body during your weigh-in.—
Andrew Gebhart,
PC Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
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But cookbook author Joshua McFadden’s Spring Carbonara, which uses a ton of fresh spring peas, is absolutely delightful.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plays out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plays%20out. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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