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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of play
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Midthunder, who starred in 20th Century’s Predator movie Prey, is playing the young woman.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Kristina Banahan, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
But Gronnemark is not alone in feeling that an approach geared around set plays, lengthy stoppages and restarts threatens to take a lot of the energy, excitement and enjoyment out of matches.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play
Verb
Douglas Dulgarian began making noise as TAGABOW in 2017, playing house shows and releasing early cassettes like 2017’s Sweater Curse.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Midthunder, who starred in 20th Century’s Predator movie Prey, is playing the young woman.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
Bella Tarantino scored the lone goal as Hanover edged Plymouth North 1-0 in Patriot League play.
—Kristina Banahan, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
But Gronnemark is not alone in feeling that an approach geared around set plays, lengthy stoppages and restarts threatens to take a lot of the energy, excitement and enjoyment out of matches.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play
Verb
-
Although the Peacock adaptation didn't show a full shot of Gacy in his clown costume, the series included scenes of him talking about his passion for dressing up as a clown and publicly performing as one.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
-
In service jobs, Black workers labored as porters, chauffeurs, and servers; in manufacturing plants, white supremacist pseudoscience was harnessed to justify forcing Black workers to perform the most difficult and dangerous work.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The final scenes show the three dogs completely inseparable — playing, lounging, and moving together like a pack.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
-
As seen on her Instagram Stories, Bella shared a video of her big sister lounging in sweats while smiling and eating pizza on their couch.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The ethical dimension of creating and manipulating living brain cells remains under discussion.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Don't Look Now manipulates audiences' minds, mixing elements of the occult with the overwhelming need for hope into a plot twist audiences will find difficult to swallow.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Pair it with tights, knee-high boots, and a denim jacket for an effortlessly put together look.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
-
This could further drive up longtime residents’ property tax bills and put them at risk of losing their homes to the land bank eventually, too.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Pagosa Springs Looking for a destination that combines mountain adventures and deep relaxation?—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Oct. 2025
-
In a living room, a large tapestry can create a striking focal point, while a bedroom may benefit from softer, muted pieces that complement bedding and promote relaxation.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Kizzi’s fate, drama-wise, is not in butting heads with people in her team, but in boatmance.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The second season of the teen drama aired in 2022.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Bucks games at Fiserv Forum will have lots of new food, drink choices.—
Steven Martinez,
jsonline.com,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The New Mexico State Police (NMSP) is investigating his disappearance and the six unauthorized or attempted uses of Valdez's card, including subpoenaing footage from the businesses where his card was used, according to KOB4.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
-
That uneven use of the death penalty is one of the reasons advocates want to abolish it.—
Kevin Grasha,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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