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
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Set a budget The average American spends a whopping $168 per date, according to a 2025 survey from BMO.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
-
The bitters combine with the hogo to create an entirely new drink, one that’s deeper and richer and honestly weirder, a drink that’s still sunshine-caliber refreshing but whose soul spends half the year in the underworld.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
6 June 2026
Verb
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Reducing the need for permanent port fuel infrastructure To support continuous operations, the platform consumes roughly 16,500 to 17,600 pounds of hydrogen per week, stored in modular, ISO-compatible low-pressure containers integrated into the floating structure.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
31 May 2026
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When supply tightens in a state that still consumes tens of millions of gallons a day, prices become more volatile and more expensive.—
Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh,
Oc Register,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Overthinking at work drains emotional energy because your brain never fully relaxes.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
The Mighty Mississippi ⛴️ Flowing about 2,350 miles from Minnesota to the Gulf in Louisiana, the Mississippi River borders 10 states and drains an area stretching from western New York to most of Wyoming.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
Verb
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If the search for a large outdoor planter exhausts you—just get a terra-cotta planter.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
6 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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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
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Building on its successful rollout in Brazil, Juspay is expanding Click to Pay globally to eliminate manual card entry, which minimizes checkout friction, reduces cart abandonment and boosts conversion rates.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
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Maintaining your yard by mowing, removing leaf litter, and trimming vegetation reduces tick habitats.—
Dan Simms,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Other minor risks include scrotum congestion (a sense of discomfort or pressure that usually resolves over time) and sperm granuloma (a non-dangerous lump that the body usually absorbs) and pain, the clinic adds.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
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Taco night can swing from chicken to beans to leftover roasted vegetables and grain bowl night absorbs whatever produce is about to turn.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2026
Verb
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One of the most criticized uses a four-letter word widely considered homophobic.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
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This gray-and-white kitchen uses two-tone paint and Shaker-style fronts for a classic design.—
Lauren Jones,
The Spruce,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plays out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plays%20out. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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