plays up

verb

present tense third-person singular of play up
as in emphasizes
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

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 up The hotel plays up its proximity to ACL Live, with framed photographs of the show and an Austin City Limits coffee table book of images captured by the same photographer. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026 As for the rest of the roster, the Yankees decided Friday that Gerrit Cole would start Game 1, a decision driven by how Cole’s stuff plays up at the Trop. — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026 As the series continues, however, Kazan plays up the explanatory power of an incident from Cathy’s childhood. — Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026 Product marketing plays up the same idea, pitching double-bowl designs such as the 33-inch Ruvati workstation for multitaskers who want one spot for washing veggies and drying dishes. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026 Hair, the Never Thirsty campaign plays up the internet’s fascination with Efron’s shower habits while giving the whole thing a self-aware beauty twist. — Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026 The book is enlivened by Andersen’s gift for satire, which plays up the comic potential of ideological extremes. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 Unsurprisingly, the Elie Saab H&M collection plays up after-dark glamour, and just in time for holiday party season, too. — Tina Isaac-Goizé, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026 As Berenger and Rogers are drawn into an affair, Scott plays up the contrast between her wealthy Upper East Side world and his working-class life in an outer borough. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plays up
  1. emphasizes
  2. highlights
  3. features
  4. stresses
Verb
  • Child Mind Institute guidance on communicating with teenagers emphasizes listening, validating feelings and creating space where kids feel safe speaking up.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Intended to inform fashion, beauty, interiors and other consumer industries, the palette emphasizes shades that can change character through different combinations and materials.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of emphasizes
Verb
  • The demonstration highlights a persistent challenge in robotics.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
  • With more than 120 pieces on display — 74 from Krasner and 48 from Pollock — the show highlights Krasner as a titan of Abstract Expressionism, too.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of highlights
Verb
  • The film also features the final interview Tito Jackson gave before his death in 2024.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The produce department features tropical fruits such as jackfruit, dragon fruit, mangoes, sweet tamarind and durian, alongside a large selection of Asian vegetables and a wide variety of mushrooms that can compete with any local farmer’s market.
    — Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of features
Verb
  • Rebbapragada stresses the company’s deep mission, is to connect fans and creators.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Iffy Lighting The way your porch is lit majorly matters, and with that, just say no to blue LED lighting, Hodge stresses.
    — Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of stresses

Browse Nearby Words

plays out
plays up
plays (upon)
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Cite this Entry

“Plays up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plays%20up. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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