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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of play up
McCarthy gives a great performance, playing up the press secretary’s more boorish traits as a gum-guzzling loudmouth that mangles words and twists facts like pretzels.
—
Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025
Two weeks of Super Bowl hype playing up the chances of a Chiefs three-peat clearly got under the skin of Packers faithful and football historians who know the sport was played before January 1967.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 10 Feb. 2025
New Energy Secretary Chris Wright played up his ties to geothermal and nuclear energy in his first comments to agency staff.
—Daniel Moore, Axios, 5 Feb. 2025
In 1995, Triple H left for WWE (then WWF), changing his name to Hunter Hearst Helmsley, once again playing up an upper-class nature.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play up
Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025
Two weeks of Super Bowl hype playing up the chances of a Chiefs three-peat clearly got under the skin of Packers faithful and football historians who know the sport was played before January 1967.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 10 Feb. 2025
New Energy Secretary Chris Wright played up his ties to geothermal and nuclear energy in his first comments to agency staff.
—Daniel Moore, Axios, 5 Feb. 2025
In 1995, Triple H left for WWE (then WWF), changing his name to Hunter Hearst Helmsley, once again playing up an upper-class nature.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play up
Verb
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The clip's overlaid text highlights the owner's thoughtful decision to remove the bed frame, allowing the aging pet to climb onto the bed with ease.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
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Season 3 of the Netflix documentary series — which dropped on Feb. 25 — highlights some of the world's greatest golf stars in both their personal and professional lives.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Provide Alternative Leadership Models Leaders within organizations should actively challenge the dominance of forceful, hyper-agentic leadership styles by modeling and rewarding alternative leadership approaches—ones that emphasize collaboration, empathy, and inclusivity.—
Esade Business & Law School,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
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Ford values the artistry of performance over commercial considerations, emphasizing the impact of storytelling and giving back through both time and resources.—
Elizabeth Stanton,
Fox News,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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And instead of stressing over lottery odds and fantasizing about ping pong balls, the Nets are almost in position to do the unthinkable: punch their ticket to the postseason.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2025
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Ball sued the White Sox, which disputed his allegations and stressed that Ball contractually waived claims in consideration for the termination provisions that called for a year of pay and benefits.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The 40th-anniversary special in 2015 featured a cold open with Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake, a monologue from Steve Martin with a bevy of celebrity cameos, and sketches with more of the show's all-timers.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
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The Solarium, for example, featured on many ships in its fleet, offers lounge space, whirlpools and more.—
Nathan Diller,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Play up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20up. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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