as in highlights
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on
that TV news program plays up sensational stories just to get higher ratings
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of plays up
Dave Franco, in glasses, plays up the grinning geek factor a bit too much.
—
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
And though Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward has struggled, interim head coach Mike McCoy, a former offensive coordinator, might have a few tricks plays up his sleeve to stave off a potential blowout.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
Earlier this year, the company introduced Spanxsculpt ReDefine, a first-to-market denim collection with technology that plays up comfort and fit.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
At 6-2, 215, he is built well for the position and plays up to his size with his on-field physicality.
—Dane Brugler, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
The director plays up the humor a lot more than Westlake’s callously cynical prose, for better or worse.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
So that mixed with the way Sean can draw these plays up?
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 29 Sep. 2025
If Love plays up to his full potential, Green Bay should be a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
And though Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward has struggled, interim head coach Mike McCoy, a former offensive coordinator, might have a few tricks plays up his sleeve to stave off a potential blowout.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
Earlier this year, the company introduced Spanxsculpt ReDefine, a first-to-market denim collection with technology that plays up comfort and fit.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
At 6-2, 215, he is built well for the position and plays up to his size with his on-field physicality.
—Dane Brugler, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
The director plays up the humor a lot more than Westlake’s callously cynical prose, for better or worse.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
So that mixed with the way Sean can draw these plays up?
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 29 Sep. 2025
If Love plays up to his full potential, Green Bay should be a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plays up
Verb
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This week's quiz highlights daring discoveries, classic coffee — and a lot more.—
Khloe Quill , Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
19 Oct. 2025
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Founded in 1962, the museum highlights 200 years of canal history through interactive exhibits, original artifacts, and engaging programs that explore how this engineering marvel shaped New York’s communities and culture, past and present.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Rick also emphasizes cost avoidance as a discipline distinct from simple cost-cutting.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
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Paris with a display that emphasizes the poetic potential of materiality.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The show's current lineup features original cohosts Sunny Anderson, Katie Lee Biegel, Jeff Mauro, and Geoffrey Zakarian, plus recurring guest Alex Guarnaschelli.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
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The flip side of this reversible quilt features a solid color with modern quilted stitching.—
Sheri Kaz,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The company stresses that its organoids, lacking pain receptors and complex brain structures, cannot experience consciousness.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Oct. 2025
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The American Kennel Club stresses that keeping a consistent routine is important for dogs at every stage of life.—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plays up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plays%20up. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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