as in highlighted
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 played up
The City manager made several bold tactical changes for the first leg at the Bernabeu, returning Nico O’Reilly to left-back and starting both Jeremy Doku and Savinho on the wings, as well as Antoine Semenyo, who played up front alongside Erling Haaland.
—
James Horncastle, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Following a devastating turn on The Wire, Jordan played up the drama on the ABC soap opera All My Children.
—Ken Simmons, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
Natasha Zinko played up the fades of men’s blue jeans.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
Roy Nwaisser, who chairs the Encino Neighborhood Council’s public safety committee, said that Flock often played up the shortage of police officers during its presentations to residents in his neighborhood.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
The film’s press campaign has, quite reasonably, played up the magnificence of Skarsgård’s body in leather and winked at the transgressiveness on display.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2026
This film adaptation cut out the second half of the book, downplayed the violence committed by Olivier’s character, Heathcliff, and played up the romance between Heathcliff and Oberon’s character, Cathy.
—Becky Little, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Mars’ Pringles tapped Sabrina Carpenter for its Super Bowl commercial, but played up attributes of the snack.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 9 Feb. 2026
The governor’s campaign played up her Patriots fandom this week in an email that featured a photo of the governor wearing a Drake Maye jersey.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
James Horncastle, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Following a devastating turn on The Wire, Jordan played up the drama on the ABC soap opera All My Children.
—Ken Simmons, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
Natasha Zinko played up the fades of men’s blue jeans.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
Roy Nwaisser, who chairs the Encino Neighborhood Council’s public safety committee, said that Flock often played up the shortage of police officers during its presentations to residents in his neighborhood.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
The film’s press campaign has, quite reasonably, played up the magnificence of Skarsgård’s body in leather and winked at the transgressiveness on display.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2026
This film adaptation cut out the second half of the book, downplayed the violence committed by Olivier’s character, Heathcliff, and played up the romance between Heathcliff and Oberon’s character, Cathy.
—Becky Little, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Mars’ Pringles tapped Sabrina Carpenter for its Super Bowl commercial, but played up attributes of the snack.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 9 Feb. 2026
The governor’s campaign played up her Patriots fandom this week in an email that featured a photo of the governor wearing a Drake Maye jersey.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played up
Verb
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Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez’s return followed extensive reporting from The Sacramento Bee that highlighted her removal from the United States, which occurred despite her having legal permission to remain in the country.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Yohan Lawrence, secretary general, JAAF, highlighted the compounding nature of the cost pressures.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The team’s brass has routinely emphasized its support of starting quarterback Bryce Young throughout the offseason.—
Mike Kaye
April 1,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
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During a comments and questions portion of the town hall attendees emphasized the importance of voting in upcoming elections and joining protests.—
Jake Allen,
IndyStar,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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During a weekend news conference, Koch stressed how humanity’s path to Mars goes through the moon, the proving ground for points beyond.—
Marcia Dunn,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
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Workers are understandably stressed over their employers investing billions into AI, as layoffs sweep tech companies, and AI agents are positioned as humans’ new coworkers.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
-
All products featured on Bon Appétit are independently selected by our editors.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Played up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played%20up. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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