1
as in recreated
to engage in activity for amusement
told her son that he needed some time to run and play in the yard after his hard work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in performed
to present a portrayal or performance of
played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in mocked
to pretend to be (what one is not) in appearance or behavior
stop playing the innocent, because I know that you were behind that prank
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in lounged
to spend time in aimless activity
just played around while we waited for the bus to arrive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in handled
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
this is how we're going to play the situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in put
to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event
figuring that she had little to lose, she played her last few bucks on the state lottery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of played
The game was played in Texas but Knicks fans gathered at watch parties across the city to witness the team battle back in the fourth quarter to take the title.
—
Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Although the championship-clinching game was played thousands of miles away, police maintained a large presence around Madison Square Garden, the Knicks' home arena.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Jerg Ramel brought his mother and a family friend to the restaurant, despite being only a few miles from where the game was being played.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Smith played a key role in the 49ers’ dominant defense in the early 2010s under head coach Jim Harbaugh, which earned San Francisco an NFC championship and appearance in Super Bowl XLVII, which the 49ers lost to the Baltimore Ravens.
—Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2026
He was reinstated in 2020 and played one season with the Dallas Cowboys.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 14 June 2026
Its inventors were bored Ivy Leaguers who played it while waiting for the results of the annual Harvard-Yale football game.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
Before Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament formed half of Pearl Jam, their previous band, Mother Love Bone, played its final show at the Central in 1990.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
The cumulative weight of all those moments that make up an ordinary life is the subject of this elegiac macro-miniaturist portrait of an itinerant worker in the early 1900s Pacific Northwest, played by Joel Edgerton in what might be the best work of his career.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025
Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Although the championship-clinching game was played thousands of miles away, police maintained a large presence around Madison Square Garden, the Knicks' home arena.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Jerg Ramel brought his mother and a family friend to the restaurant, despite being only a few miles from where the game was being played.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Smith played a key role in the 49ers’ dominant defense in the early 2010s under head coach Jim Harbaugh, which earned San Francisco an NFC championship and appearance in Super Bowl XLVII, which the 49ers lost to the Baltimore Ravens.
—Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2026
He was reinstated in 2020 and played one season with the Dallas Cowboys.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 14 June 2026
Its inventors were bored Ivy Leaguers who played it while waiting for the results of the annual Harvard-Yale football game.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
Before Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament formed half of Pearl Jam, their previous band, Mother Love Bone, played its final show at the Central in 1990.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
The cumulative weight of all those moments that make up an ordinary life is the subject of this elegiac macro-miniaturist portrait of an itinerant worker in the early 1900s Pacific Northwest, played by Joel Edgerton in what might be the best work of his career.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played
Verb
-
This reportedly recreated the pion’s internal structure in remarkable detail.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
12 June 2026
-
The building, now a historical landmark, reopened its doors in 2015 after a restoration that recreated the original paint palette and 1930s carpeting and murals.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Zac Brown Band performed the national anthem, and other stars who took part included comedians Nate Bargatze, Shane Gillis and Tony Hinchcliffe, as well as singers Luke Bryan and Kid Rock.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
-
The measure performed best in central and west Davis, continuing the pattern established on election night.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Gaudí’s radical, modernist designs were mocked in his lifetime but have subsequently been celebrated.—
Ashley Mowreader,
NBC news,
13 June 2026
-
The bear designed on the flag was mocked by some, due to its closer resemblance to a pig.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The couple giggled between kisses and lounged on a red-and-white picnic blanket while overlooking the Pacific Ocean.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
-
Party people lounged on the dock, their legs dangling over turquoise water, while tequila flowed freely.—
Serena Turner,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Instead, those investigations are handled by an internal group of Air Force specialists tasked with collecting evidence, preserving it and interviewing witnesses.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Officials urge beach safety Breton said firefighters have conducted five rescues along the same mile-long stretch of coastline in the past month, a sharp increase from the six to eight ocean rescues typically handled there in an entire year.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Lola Vice will put her NXT Women’s Championship on the line against Kendal Grey, Myles Borne will defend the NXT North American Championship against Tavion Heights, Wren Sinclair will face a challenger for the WWE Women’s Speed Championship and Saquon Shugars takes on Dion Lennox.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
-
Earlier, a pair of Harry Kane goals — his ninth and 10th at World Cups — had twice put England ahead, only for some sloppy defending and smart attacking play to give Croatia a route back.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Year-round programming adapts to the seasons, with both kids' and teen programs ensuring young travelers are entertained while adults relax with activities, spa treatments, or quiet meals.—
Chelsea Adams,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
-
Chicago Fire inflatables were set up on the pitch alongside all kinds of activities to keep kids entertained.—
Noel Brennan,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Verb
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That’s because Noelle’s a different type of protagonist, portrayed confidently by Al Zahrani, a woman contending with her own loss while trying to gain a more prominent job than being the scanner of a police documents.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
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On the opinion side, Paxton was heavily platformed and portrayed Cornyn as an enemy of the president.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Played.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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