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
Slugger Aaron Judge has turned his play up to a new level, and he's been the vocal leader of the team, as expected.
—
Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Xi played up a message that world is in a state of flux and chaos, and China is the responsible, stable power to guide it into the future.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Lynch, the women’s intercontinental champion and one of the top heels on the RAW roster, played up her villainous role to the crowd.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2025
In the 50 Shades films, her blankness gave Anastasia Steele a naïveté that could be played up or down depending on the game of the scene.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play up
Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Xi played up a message that world is in a state of flux and chaos, and China is the responsible, stable power to guide it into the future.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Lynch, the women’s intercontinental champion and one of the top heels on the RAW roster, played up her villainous role to the crowd.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2025
In the 50 Shades films, her blankness gave Anastasia Steele a naïveté that could be played up or down depending on the game of the scene.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play up
Verb
-
Marcela Rodríguez, co-chair of the Illinois Latino Agenda, highlighted the importance of being prepared for ICE encounters during a press conference on Friday.—
Deena Zaru,
ABC News,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Ellis highlighted the importance of having a film establish such a strong alliance between the North and Northeast of Brazil, especially considering the longstanding focus on the Southeast and cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In recent years, as American moms have been enthusiastically encouraged to breastfeed, many experts have emphasized that making sure infants are fed, period, should be parents’ highest priority.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Psychologist Marshall Rosenberg, the founder of Nonviolent Communication, emphasized that beneath most criticisms or demands lies a universal human need.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Polite dogs are allowed, but your pup might get stressed in the noisy, crowded park.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Experts stress that normalizing GSM as a medical condition rather than a decline is key to encouraging care.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Built to last, the 2020 model features a new roof design that boasts up to 90 pounds per square foot of snow load.—
Gabriela Izquierdo,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Quite a few designs featured striking swirls, which Daveed says speak to the ways that many Haitian immigrants must travel when heading into the United States for a better life.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20up. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share