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 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
The tour guide may have deflected my Phantom questions, but the opera house plays up just enough of the mystery.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2026
Beth Goldenberg’s costume design plays up the early 1980s and helps to define each character, such as the loud, pushy prints that Barbara wears.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
For an administration that plays up the language of inclusion and liberation, the absence of Black voices raises alarm.
—Darius Jones, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Parmesan creamed spinach is a delight and really plays up the buttery artichoke hearts.
—Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026
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
The tour guide may have deflected my Phantom questions, but the opera house plays up just enough of the mystery.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2026
Beth Goldenberg’s costume design plays up the early 1980s and helps to define each character, such as the loud, pushy prints that Barbara wears.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
For an administration that plays up the language of inclusion and liberation, the absence of Black voices raises alarm.
—Darius Jones, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Parmesan creamed spinach is a delight and really plays up the buttery artichoke hearts.
—Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plays up
Verb
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Despite us having just seen the episode where Reid performed this exact song, his vocals felt like they were shot out of a cannon — Reid has an unexpected control and expressiveness to his live singing voice that emphasizes the already theatrical lyrics and melody.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
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Lifting extremely heavy weights with limited range of motion, as observers have noted in Kennedy’s video, increases the risk of injury and emphasizes numbers rather than strength.—
Paula Chesley,
STAT,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The movie’s first scene, in which the band plays a wedding at a lavish country estate, highlights his problem.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
29 May 2026
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Prior Tesla Autopilot case highlights legal scrutiny The Florida crash comes as Tesla continues to face legal scrutiny over its Autopilot system.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
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This natural marvel features a 125-foot curtain of water that cascades into a rocky gorge.—
Staff,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
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The Old West End Festival is an annual event in Toledo that features live music, food markets and events for children.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
Verb
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The film stresses that railing against billionaires isn’t enough, and that characters like Corvette and Jianhu need to look after the people in their own backyards as well.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
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Guerin believes the team is now in a Cup window, which stresses the importance on hitting on those mid- to late-round draft picks, as the first- and second-rounders will often be used in trades to improve the current roster.—
Joe Smith,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plays up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plays%20up. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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