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
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Recent Examples of plays up
Known for its organic womenswear, childrenswear and baby clothing, the lifestyle brand plays up well-being, transparency and responsible production.
—
Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
The Hunting Wives actress plays up her black fringe gown with a diamond necklace and smokey eye makeup.
—Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
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
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
Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
The Hunting Wives actress plays up her black fringe gown with a diamond necklace and smokey eye makeup.
—Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
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
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 new approach emphasizes automation and teamwork among machines, focusing on precision instead of relying on large numbers of troops.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
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The whole team emphasizes the importance of finding partnerships that are authentic, pointing out that fans and viewers would quickly smell if an artist and content, or an artist and a brand, were forced together for pure financial considerations.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This week's quiz highlights movie mayhem, decadent desserts and much more.—
Kelly McGreal , Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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The suit also highlights the troubled safety record of Boeing’s MD-11 aircraft, calling it one of the most accident-prone commercial planes still in service.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The memoir also features a foreword by actress and author Mariel Hemingway, and has received early praise from Marianne Williamson and Mel Robbins.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
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For the white colorway, a contrasting gum sole with a soft suede toe highlights the sneaker, while the black version features a brown distressed tooling.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Hill stresses everything needed to be practical and raw.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
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McDaniel’s teams are minus-18 in turnover margin in three-and-a-half seasons, and McDaniel stresses that turnovers are the best indicators of who wins football games.—
Omar Kelly
November 7,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plays up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plays%20up. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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