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
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Recent Examples of play
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2025
Paul Dano plays the titular role of Vadim Baranov, a former avant-garde artist and reality TV show producer, who becomes the unofficial advisor to ex-KGB agent Putin as rises up the political chain.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025
Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025
And the tragedy of the play is the question left unanswered.
—John Haskell, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play
Verb
Neil Young began playing concerts and recording music before the Beatles even stepped foot in America, and he’s never stopped.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2025
Paul Dano plays the titular role of Vadim Baranov, a former avant-garde artist and reality TV show producer, who becomes the unofficial advisor to ex-KGB agent Putin as rises up the political chain.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
Thirty of his original dresses will be exhibited in a separate Hudson Yards venue, where the play’s afterparty will also be held — for ticket holders only.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025
And the tragedy of the play is the question left unanswered.
—John Haskell, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play
Verb
-
When culture starts performing alignment instead of living it, most companies reach for fixes: tighter messaging, new values, more playbooks.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Goose will perform at the Park City Song Summit this weekend before continuing their ongoing tour through the fall.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Manicured gardens and a dreamy courtyard across 10 acres make the perfect backdrop for croquet and lounging by the estate pool, while rooms feature Juliette balconies, terraces, bold wallpapers, and heirloom furniture.—
Amanda Ogle,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Aug. 2025
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In other images from the set, Kidman posed alongside her sister, natural curls still intact and lounged on a bench wearing a blue and white striped button-down top and white pants, with her natural curls hanging off the side of the bench.—
Starr Bowenbank,
People.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Trump in August ordered the firing of the U.S. commissioner of Labor Statistics after the weak jobs report, accusing her without evidence of manipulating data.—
Bailey Schulz,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
-
That’s right: today’s most powerful AI models can be manipulated using the pretty much the same psychological tricks that work on humans.—
John Koetsier,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
After Domingue removed Panaro from the block, Reilly put Rylie Jeffries up for eviction as a replacement.—
Dina Kaur,
AZCentral.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Powell is also expected to announce a policy shift that could keep interest rates higher over the longer term as officials put more emphasis on keeping inflation contained.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
An outdoor tub is your best option for full relaxation after a day spent partaking in the outdoor activities the area is known for, from water sports to hiking.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
28 Aug. 2025
-
The live resin inside packs a serious punch, with heavy indica effects like relaxation, sedation and pain relief.—
Emily Earlenbaugh,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In his director’s statement, the filmmaker reveals that the historical drama mines from his own family’s trauma, linking the effects that both the holocaust and the rise in communism in Hungary had on him and his loved ones.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
25 Aug. 2025
-
That gravitational relationship between herself and drama has carried over from her high-school days into her professional life, the Grammy winner says.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The pandemic took care of that, and the game was rescheduled for Saturday when the schools meet for the first time.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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All charitable proceeds from the game's 50/50 raffle will go towards Uecker’s favorite charities.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Military officials are sketching out a plan that could deploy a few thousand National Guard members, with the use of active-duty forces also under discussion.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Dyer was using the money for his personal use and was behind on paying the woman’s assisted living facility monthly cost, police said.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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