1
as in to recreate
to engage in activity for amusement
told her son that he needed some time to run and play in the yard after his hard work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to perform
to present a portrayal or performance of
played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to pose (as)
to pretend to be (what one is not) in appearance or behavior
stop playing the innocent, because I know that you were behind that prank
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to lounge
to spend time in aimless activity
just played around while we waited for the bus to arrive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to manipulate
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
this is how we're going to play the situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in relaxation
activity engaged in to amuse oneself
it's such a delight to watch the children in their play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drama
a written work in which the story is told through speech and action that is intended to be acted out on stage
we'll be putting on a school play using that stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in game
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously
I didn't mean to insult anyone, for it was all just play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in use
the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose
the host's sense of humor was obviously in play during the awards ceremony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
the guy at the bar made an unusually creative play to get her phone number
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of play
EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025
That was nice to play and just to be in in touch with that.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
In was Paul Maurice who implemented a defense-first, forecheck-heavy, grind-it-out style of play that was almost the antithesis of their free-flowing, high-flying, offensive system that was wildly successful in the regular season but didn’t hold up in the playoffs.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play
Verb
But there was just something about playing the comedy of that scene, which is such a shocking moment.
—EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025
That was nice to play and just to be in in touch with that.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
Perhaps the assumption is that two teams who are both as consistent as each other and opt to employ a high-octane style of play will cancel each other out.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
In was Paul Maurice who implemented a defense-first, forecheck-heavy, grind-it-out style of play that was almost the antithesis of their free-flowing, high-flying, offensive system that was wildly successful in the regular season but didn’t hold up in the playoffs.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play
Verb
-
But while most saw the moment as a liberating one for women, Horsell saw it as another instance of a female playing top-level sport without the necessary support to perform at her best.—
Asif Burhan,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
According to the family’s lawsuit, no medical or mental-health intake was performed at the jail, and McLemore, who was held in a windowless cell, began to fear food and water.—
Sarah Stillman,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Now the steps have planters with juniper bushes on top for aesthetics — and to keep fans from lounging there.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2025
-
The plan also includes an education center and a café and lounge open to the street.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
It could be manipulated by the therapist or simply placed in the correct position by the individual.—
Matt Parrott,
Arkansas Online,
20 Apr. 2025
-
This is not a new accusation and in the past Fauci and the paper authors disagreed with the accusations that the paper was manipulated or had any specific goal.—
Youri Benadjaoud,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Bank of England’s latest industry survey puts data protection, model explainability and talent shortages at the top of banks’ AI pain points, a hierarchy that neatly mirrors the MAS findings.—
Zennon Kapron,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Part of this different tweak reflects longer life expectancies, which puts more pressure on an investment portfolio to deliver sound results over time.—
Russ Wiles,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
There's a mix of on-the-beach relaxation (pet-friendly!) and off-the-beach amusements, such as go-kart tracks, a handful of mini-golf courses, a number of ice cream shops, and good restaurants.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2025
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Try relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation.—
Mary Choy,
Verywell Health,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Marsh was appointed Office of the Order of the British Empire in 2012 for her services to drama.—
Elizabeth Stanton,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The series, which ran for five seasons through 1975, won two BAFTA awards, seven Primetime Emmys (including a best drama actress win for Marsh) and a Golden Globe for best drama series.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Heat came up short in the first two games of the first-round Eastern Conference series.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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During his five years at TCU, Williams played in 52 games, caught 137 passes for 1,655 yards (12.1) and had 14 touchdowns.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Context The use of subpoenas and warrants to discover who has spoken to reporters grew considerably under the administrations of former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, as well as during President Donald Trump's first term.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
-
The majority of viewing targets are easily accessible to newcomers using nothing but the naked eye and a dark sky, although some may benefit from the use of a stargazing smartphone app such as Stellarium, or Starry night.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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