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
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Example Sentences
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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
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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
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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
Verb
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The problem, however, is that Starmer has repeatedly emphasized that his brainchild will only work if the mighty U.S. is backing up the European reassurance force.—
Daniel DePetris,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2025
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The report also emphasizes the need to integrate women and youth into food policy.—
Daphne Ewing-Chow,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Labor leaders also stressed that as unfree people, contract workers did not come to the U.S. voluntarily; instead they were induced to migrate by capitalists.—
Made by History,
Time,
26 Mar. 2025
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Also during his confirmation hearing, Makary stressed his desire to find innovative solutions to lower drug prices and make technologies more accessible to patients as well as removing conflicts of interest between the pharmaceutical industry and the FDA.—
Gabrielle M. Etzel,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Instead, the team has been remade and the heavy-duty passing offense that has been featured since the drafting of wide receiver Justin Jefferson is in the process of changing dramatically.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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The exhibition space will also feature a creative workspace filled with various objects that inspired Bong’s films.—
Liz Shackleton,
Deadline,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20up. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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