as in to highlight
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of play up
His stuff is playing up right now, as that Mariners outing indicates (the other two, Feb. 21 against the Cubs and Sunday against the A’s, were in parks without public velocity readings).
—
Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 3 Mar. 2025
Democrats are also playing up the loud backlash some GOP lawmakers faced last week from voters in their districts who gave them an earful about the cuts and billionaire Elon Musk’s mercurial budget-slashing efforts.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 24 Feb. 2025
Balmain’s latest presentation also played up animal prints, particularly zebra — a pattern used by the label’s founder, Pierre Balmain.
—Hannah Malach, WWD, 6 Mar. 2025
Instead he got shouted at while Trump appeared to play up the drama for the cameras.
—Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play up
Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 3 Mar. 2025
Democrats are also playing up the loud backlash some GOP lawmakers faced last week from voters in their districts who gave them an earful about the cuts and billionaire Elon Musk’s mercurial budget-slashing efforts.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 24 Feb. 2025
Balmain’s latest presentation also played up animal prints, particularly zebra — a pattern used by the label’s founder, Pierre Balmain.
—Hannah Malach, WWD, 6 Mar. 2025
Instead he got shouted at while Trump appeared to play up the drama for the cameras.
—Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play up
Verb
-
The Tribune also highlighted potential conflicts of interest in Irvin going into business with a city employee.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
-
The museum also highlights how Swinton was inspired by authoritarian leaders Benito Mussolini and Kim Il-sung to nail her mannerisms.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Fred Nuzzo, who learned how to make pizza at Modern when his brother owned it, always emphasized to his son and others to never try to cut cost corners on ingredients, because the pizza wouldn’t be the same.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
17 Mar. 2025
-
This could include funding for multi-institutional AI research initiatives, policy frameworks that encourage responsible data sharing and standardized evaluation metrics that emphasize generalizability. 4.—
Sanjay Juneja,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Butner said inflation has stressed budgets and that a national reduction in jobs is typically an indication more people will use the food bank’s services.—
Kate Marijolovic,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Wildlife experts stress that influencers and tourists - like everyone else - should do their best to appreciate nature from a safe distance and carefully research ethical ways to visit and volunteer with animals up close.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Each egg features a different filling with a different vibrantly-colored foil.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Mar. 2025
-
Elsewhere, British filmmaker and producer Asif Kapadia will feature as part of the VdR-Industry days with a masterclass.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20up. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share