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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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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Use Natural Materials A natural stone wall-mount sink in a bathroom highlights the use of earthy materials.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Nov. 2025
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The plea—legally impossible but symbolically potent—highlights the limits of judicial authority over prison placements, the strain of the mental health crises inside the federal system, and the uneasy intersection between acts of political violence and debates about personal autonomy at life’s end.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Besides the classic plaid pattern, the blanket also features tassels around the edge for an elevated flair.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
4 Nov. 2025
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The Opera heel features a similar silhouette to the ankle boots, except it’s designed in the style of an ankle strap pump.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Ordering takeaway or getting a catering service is also an option if the thought of cooking stresses you out.—
Essence,
Essence,
4 Nov. 2025
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This is not music therapy, Addy stresses.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plays up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plays%20up. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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