variants
or less commonly roleplay
role-played also roleplayed; role-playing also roleplaying; role-plays also roleplays
1
: to act out the role of
2
: to represent in action
students were asked to role-play the thoughts and feelings of each character—
R. G. Lambert
R. G. Lambert
: to play a role
role-play
noun
or less commonly roleplay
plural role-plays also roleplays
I practice this with student social workers through case studies and role-play.
—Kevin Brazant, quoted in psychologytoday.com
Kevin Brazant, quoted in psychologytoday.com
Examples of role-play in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But the power of speaking to rather than about the deceased has long been at the root of many grief interventions worldwide, including Gestalt therapy, which encourages patients to role-play or re-enact life experiences.
—Taryn Lindhorst, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
Pokémon has been a global hit since it was launched as a role-playing game in 1996 for Nintendo’s Game Boy console.
—Chris Morris, Fortune Asia, 19 Sep. 2024
The retreat offers a mix of five dozen free and paid activities, including sheep herding, embroidery and interactive role-playing games with elderly villagers.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2024
Use role-playing scenarios to practice responding to challenges with hero powers.
—Thomas Lim, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for role-play 
Taryn Lindhorst, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
Pokémon has been a global hit since it was launched as a role-playing game in 1996 for Nintendo’s Game Boy console.
—Chris Morris, Fortune Asia, 19 Sep. 2024
The retreat offers a mix of five dozen free and paid activities, including sheep herding, embroidery and interactive role-playing games with elderly villagers.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2024
Use role-playing scenarios to practice responding to challenges with hero powers.
—Thomas Lim, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for role-play
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'role-play.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near role-play
Cite this Entry
“Role-play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/role-play. Accessed 30 Sep. 2024.
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