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
Another prominent shoe style from the show also played up color contrast.
—
Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025
The director plays up the humor a lot more than Westlake’s callously cynical prose, for better or worse.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Adding a daybed in gingham, especially one done up in the coastal blue Perennials upholstery that winks at Dorothy’s iconic dress, is a clever way to play up the timeless print when brainstorming a new bedroom furniture layout.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 26 Sep. 2025
Politicians in both countries have instrumentalized the hostility to win legitimacy, selectively playing up grievances with the other side.
—Thomas De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play up
Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025
The director plays up the humor a lot more than Westlake’s callously cynical prose, for better or worse.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Adding a daybed in gingham, especially one done up in the coastal blue Perennials upholstery that winks at Dorothy’s iconic dress, is a clever way to play up the timeless print when brainstorming a new bedroom furniture layout.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 26 Sep. 2025
Politicians in both countries have instrumentalized the hostility to win legitimacy, selectively playing up grievances with the other side.
—Thomas De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play up
Verb
-
New York — Cryptocurrencies plunged in value on Friday in a short but significant flash crash, leaving investors with billions of dollars in losses and highlighting the volatility associated with the industry.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Within weeks, James’s attorney Lowell issued a detailed rebuttal, accusing Pulte of selectively highlighting one document while ignoring others that clearly named the niece as the intended occupant.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Organizers emphasized that they are trained in deescalation and the event is meant to be a nonviolent protest.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Petrino said ball security, especially by the quarterback, needs to be emphasized in practice.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
These demonstrations also stress a commitment to nonviolence.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Plants spend all of their energy on flowering, so dividing during bloom time can stress their root development.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Tailored for hyperscale data centers, cloud providers, and telcos, Xeon 6+ features up to 288 E-cores and a 17% uplift in Instructions Per Cycle (IPC) over the prior generation.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The event is sponsored by the Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Society and features 30 dealers with minerals, gemstones, jewelry, fossils and unusual gifts.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20up. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share