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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of played
The Timberwolves also played without starting forward Jaden McDaniels (right knee soreness) and guard Ayo Dosunmu (right calf soreness).
—
CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Neither Green nor Booker played in the fourth quarter as the Suns cruised to the victory.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
Stirtz played for first-year Hawkeyes coach McCollum at Northwest Missouri State, Drake and Iowa.
—Gary Bedore
march 29, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
Latson competed in her first Sweet 16, having played her previous three collegiate seasons at Florida State before her transfer to South Carolina.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Tatum played the entire fourth quarter for the second straight game, his minutes limit seemingly lifted.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
The Nuggets played lackadaisical 1-on-1 and pick-and-roll defense on the perimeter.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
But the Heat was outscored 9-0 when Ware and Adebayo played alongside each other in the first half on Saturday.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
People who were unexpectedly called to help with recovery operations, like McQueeney, played a key role in capturing the aftermath.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Neither Green nor Booker played in the fourth quarter as the Suns cruised to the victory.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
Stirtz played for first-year Hawkeyes coach McCollum at Northwest Missouri State, Drake and Iowa.
—Gary Bedore
march 29, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
Latson competed in her first Sweet 16, having played her previous three collegiate seasons at Florida State before her transfer to South Carolina.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Tatum played the entire fourth quarter for the second straight game, his minutes limit seemingly lifted.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
The Nuggets played lackadaisical 1-on-1 and pick-and-roll defense on the perimeter.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
But the Heat was outscored 9-0 when Ware and Adebayo played alongside each other in the first half on Saturday.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
People who were unexpectedly called to help with recovery operations, like McQueeney, played a key role in capturing the aftermath.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played
Verb
-
Sansone, though, says the lien was executed years ago and the documents were recreated in 2026 due to loss of the initial paperwork.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Mar. 2026
-
For example, costumes had to be recreated using more fire-retardant fabrics, and Beetz’s famous head of hair needed its own precautionary measures.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Dion last performed in Paris during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, singing from the balcony of the Eiffel Tower.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In 2023 and 2024, the band performed just down the road from Billy Bob’s Texas at Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
No artist ever mocked the insanity of the Hollywood cartoon stystem with such devastating incisiveness, and yet loved its creative output so much.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
28 Mar. 2026
-
In a lengthy Instagram post on Friday (March 27), White mocked the announcement.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nearby, people and their dogs who had moved into the shelter for the duration of the war lounged on air mattresses, scrolling through their phones.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Just days after hard-launching her relationship with French filmmaker Romain Gavras, EmRata lounged in a plunging plush white robe while wearing nothing but some sparkling loud luxury accessories.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The construction was even handled by the fourth-generation Obayashi family, the same company who built the original structure nearly 90 years ago.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
-
One probe into Rabell’s welfare was handled by the adult protection program.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But the major goal of the flight, along with putting the Orion through its paces, is to test the planning, procedures and flight control protocols for managing upcoming moon landing missions after a half-century gap between the Artemis and Apollo programs.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Joe hit three 3-pointers in an 85-second flurry to put the Thunder up 99-61 in the third quarter.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fans are entitled to want to be entertained, and to be frustrated that the European campaign has been a struggle, as well as by the problems Palace have endured when confronted by 10 men on several occasions of late.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
-
United has long entertained the prospect of buying JetBlue, but remains disciplined on price, according to people familiar with the matter.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The special, which was filmed in front of a live studio audience, featured an in-depth interview with star Miley Cyrus, and came twenty years to the day that the pop star portrayed the alter ego blonde musician on Disney Channel.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
-
But defense attorneys argued the protests weren’t as peaceful as plaintiffs’ attorneys portrayed, that officers’ actions were justified, and that the individual officers named in the suit should be entitled to public official immunity and dismissed from the lawsuit.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Played.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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