Synonyms of plays up

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

• emphasizes
• highlights
• features
• stresses
• points (up)
• identifies
• bears down on
• accents
• punctuates
• accentuates
• focuses
• illuminates
• makes much of
• foregrounds
• presses
• promotes
• pinpoints
• spotlights
• advertises
• plugs
• publicizes
• boosts
• overplays

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• plays down
• tones (down)
• underemphasizes
• understates
• minimizes
• de-emphasizes
• discounts
• disparages
• belittles

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of plays up

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

Without the sort of deep, dominant bullpen that plays up in October, Counsell planned to have lefty Matthew Boyd face two more hitters at the bottom of Milwaukee’s lineup in the eighth inning. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 8 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

Cox, who grew up a fan of Dodgers utilityman Chris Taylor, is a primary outfielder but has impressed during his brief time at second base, making several difficult plays up the middle. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026