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

The concealer, which comes in 25 shades, goes on top to add a subtle glow that plays up the color of the eyes. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 16 Oct. 2026

The hotel plays up its proximity to ACL Live, with framed photographs of the show and an Austin City Limits coffee table book of images captured by the same photographer. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026

As for the rest of the roster, the Yankees decided Friday that Gerrit Cole would start Game 1, a decision driven by how Cole’s stuff plays up at the Trop. — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

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

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