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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Recent Examples of play up
The pop-up itself will play up some of the jokes in the show - like the sprinklers on the ceiling that are supposed to be filled with blood.
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Jeanette Hurt, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
After that opener, the album is a litany of scenarios that play up guilt, betrayal, anxiety, resilience, and everything else that reduces interpersonal workings into a high-stakes chess match.
—Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2024
House Republicans have also tried to play up non-citizen voting as an issue, including with several unsuccessful attempts to to create a federal law requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections.
—Andrew Solender, Axios, 15 Oct. 2024
Popular on Variety The alliance of hip-hop and wrestling was played up heavily during the event.
—Shaheem Reid, Variety, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for play up 
Jeanette Hurt, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
After that opener, the album is a litany of scenarios that play up guilt, betrayal, anxiety, resilience, and everything else that reduces interpersonal workings into a high-stakes chess match.
—Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2024
House Republicans have also tried to play up non-citizen voting as an issue, including with several unsuccessful attempts to to create a federal law requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections.
—Andrew Solender, Axios, 15 Oct. 2024
Popular on Variety The alliance of hip-hop and wrestling was played up heavily during the event.
—Shaheem Reid, Variety, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for play up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play up
Verb
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Similarly, Paramount Global — the parent company of CBS, MTV, and Nickelodeon — also highlighted the growth of its FAST service Pluto TV to investors this month.Bruce Gil, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
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His experience highlighted the critical role of leadership and HR in the success of a large-scale franchise.Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Sezzle acknowledges the impact of macroeconomic conditions on consumer spending and credit risk, emphasizing the importance of effective risk management and sustainable business practices.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
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Interviews and discussions ran longer and looser, and since the set itself was so quiet, these talky segments emphasized the unsettling absence of background noise.Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
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People are stressed out about the 2024 election, and nothing eases stress like watching Jon Heder dance to Jamiroquai.Erik Kain, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
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Security experts stress that the nation's voting infrastructure is highly secure, and that isolated voting issues do not indicate widespread election fraud.Luke Barr, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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For that reason, the store scheduled a free discussion last night featuring a panel set to include Ra Avis, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, Luis Garcia, Ahmanise Sanati, and Christopher Soto.Erik Pedersen, Orange County Register, 15 Nov. 2024
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Here are some of our favorite products featuring this tingly spice, as well as some novel ways to make the most of it in your kitchen.Megan Zhang, Saveur, 13 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near play up
Cite this Entry
“Play up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20up. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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