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 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 In advertisements, Tiffany plays up his roots on a Wisconsin dairy farm and love of the Green Bay Packers and a brandy old fashioned. — Clay Masters, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026 Keserich plays up short commute times and relative affordability when pitching the region to businesses as a vice president of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 19 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plays up
  1. emphasizes
  2. highlights
  3. features
  4. stresses
Verb
  • The advice emphasizes the importance of sleep, limited screen time and up-to-date vaccinations, according to a community announcement.
    — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • So far, even the secretary’s Make America Healthy Again movement — which emphasizes poor diet as a main driver of chronic disease — has done little to assuage dietitians’ deeply rooted troubles.
    — Lauren Chan, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of emphasizes
Verb
  • The injury to young winger Matt Savoie highlights a problem for the team.
    — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The change highlights a global race for alternative energy sources as Middle East conflict slows oil from the region – a race that has major repercussions for the price of gas, oil, cooking fuel and other energy for consumers around the world.
    — Michelle Velez, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of highlights
Verb
  • In a squad that features Kylian Mbappe, Brahim Diaz, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr, Diomande can work his way into the first XI rather than arrive with the responsibility of solving a glaring problem.
    — David Ornstein, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The nicest of the quartet, Springfield features a large clubhouse, a beautiful practice area with an oversized putting green and a challenging 6,906-yard course that is hilly, woody and will ask you to hit lots of precise shots.
    — Langston Wertz Jr, Charlotte Observer, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of features
Verb
  • The report stresses how Kansas City is a relatively small sports market compared to the rest of the country.
    — Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • This test places stresses on the edge far beyond typical EDC tasks.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 2026.

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