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
This blunt cut by stylist Shaylee Blatz plays up thickness but doesn't look weighed down.
—
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
This stainless steel iteration is a sleeker iteration that loses the embellishment of traditional ceramics but plays up the streamlined elegance.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 9 June 2026
Or, let air-dry with a scrunch of mousse that plays up your hair’s natural texture.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 9 June 2026
If Yamal plays up to his potential, La Roja could very well earn its second star above its crest.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 6 June 2026
This wall plays up a room's height, in turn, creating both a sense of space and drama, Parker says.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 30 May 2026
Much of the products are focused on the eyes, a continuation of his runway makeup that also plays up peepers, such as heavy lashes or exaggerated cat eyes.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Herzog naturally plays up the enigma at hand with epic grandeur, occasionally overdoing it but usually hitting the mark.
—Eric Kohn, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
Paradise playing coy with details on Samantha’s plan or how ALEX can be used to save the world plays up the mystery, but this lack of information regarding her thought process zaps the moment of emotion and tension.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
This stainless steel iteration is a sleeker iteration that loses the embellishment of traditional ceramics but plays up the streamlined elegance.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 9 June 2026
Or, let air-dry with a scrunch of mousse that plays up your hair’s natural texture.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 9 June 2026
If Yamal plays up to his potential, La Roja could very well earn its second star above its crest.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 6 June 2026
This wall plays up a room's height, in turn, creating both a sense of space and drama, Parker says.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 30 May 2026
Much of the products are focused on the eyes, a continuation of his runway makeup that also plays up peepers, such as heavy lashes or exaggerated cat eyes.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Herzog naturally plays up the enigma at hand with epic grandeur, occasionally overdoing it but usually hitting the mark.
—Eric Kohn, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
Paradise playing coy with details on Samantha’s plan or how ALEX can be used to save the world plays up the mystery, but this lack of information regarding her thought process zaps the moment of emotion and tension.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plays up
Verb
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The Leo moon's square off with Mars emphasizes the need to express yourself.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
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On the Hoover website, a page dedicated to the Great Depression emphasizes that some of the policies enacted by Roosevelt, who easily defeated Hoover for reelection, were first proposed by Hoover.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Verb
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The work also highlights how much remains unknown regarding the chemistry of wine bottles and their cork sealing systems.—
Sam Macdonald,
Scientific American,
19 June 2026
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This rebalance, effective June 22, highlights how passive investing automatically dictates holdings.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Each room has an eclectic mix of contemporary art, antiques, textiles, rugs, and books, and also features a fireplace and generous seating areas.—
Elizabeth Cantrell,
Travel + Leisure,
21 June 2026
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Riot Games has revealed a new map for Valorant called Summit, which features a new mechanic with walls that can drop mid round and cut off pathways through the map as a round progresses.—
Mike Stubbs,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Verb
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Kemkers also stresses this process should not end once a product has been developed.—
Sally Percy,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
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Executive chef Kyle Perkins stresses local sourcing and fresh ingredients, including the addition of the property’s own farm.—
Simon Davidson,
Travel + Leisure,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plays up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plays%20up. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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