1
as in to recreate
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 to perform
to present a portrayal or performance of
played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to pose (as)
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 to lounge
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 to manipulate
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
this is how we're going to play the situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in relaxation
activity engaged in to amuse oneself
it's such a delight to watch the children in their play
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drama
a written work in which the story is told through speech and action that is intended to be acted out on stage
we'll be putting on a school play using that stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in game
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously
I didn't mean to insult anyone, for it was all just play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in use
the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose
the host's sense of humor was obviously in play during the awards ceremony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
the guy at the bar made an unusually creative play to get her phone number
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of play
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2025
With the ink barely dry on a bombshell deal that hands Amazon MGM Studios creative control over James Bond, Jeff Bezos is already canvassing fans about who should play 007.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025
The closest the teams came was when Trocheck and Severson both went off the ice for unsportsmanlike conduct, resulting in four-on-four play.
—Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play
Verb
Also joining the guys as support are Katelyn Tarver and Stephen Kramer Glickman, who played Jo and Gustavo on Big Time Rush during the show’s run from 2009 to 2013.
—Noun
Cameron Williams had 12 points and 10 rebounds for Miami (13-13, 3-12), which was 0-for-16 from 3-point range, the second-worst showing from beyond the arc by an ACC team in conference play in the last 20 years.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for play
Verb
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In 2013, the group was hired by Vladimir Putin to perform a pre-Valentine's Day concert as part of a campaign to boost the country's declining birthrate.—
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Tests performed during the day confirmed the respiratory tract infection.—
Verb
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Rounding it all out are the private grounds, which host several alfresco spaces ideal for lounging and dining amid the enveloping flora and fauna.—
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Pillow Cat No surprise here—comfy Pillow Cat loves lounging around the bedroom.—
Verb
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Einstein need to learn how to manipulate concrete Just after the announcement that a new jail was coming, Einstein began plotting, according to FBI records.—
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Monáe will produce the project about an unsuspecting woman who hatches a clever white-collar scheme that manipulates the U.S. banking system out of millions through Wondaland Pictures’ first look deal with Universal, with Smith to executive produce.—
Verb
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The Emmy-winning show puts an unlikely mix of reality TV stars competing to solve a murder mystery game in exchange for $250,000.—
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The shot by Eduard Löwen hit the post, then St. Louis put it in the back of the net on a rebound, but it was called offside.—
Noun
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Medical retreats are often located in tranquil settings—think serene beaches, lush forests, or peaceful mountains—that naturally promote relaxation.—
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Elsewhere, the guests will have plenty of relaxation space indoors, thanks to an expansive main lounge.—
Noun
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Aimed at telling a more personal, nuanced tale of domestic abuse, the film's message has been instead consumed by the drama surrounding its lead actors.—
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That and other memorable sequences in Living the Land prove that Huo is a master at embedding the drama within a bigger picture of social and economic transformation.—
Noun
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In January of 1993, the early 90s Gang Green defense won its only playoff game at the Superdome.—
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The Eagles also went 18-3 and won the championship a year after dysfunction led to the team losing six of its final seven games, including a playoff defeat.—
Noun
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Park District officials want to make changes on the pool that originally went into use about ten years ago.—
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Thus, there is always a lurking risk that your AI use will be detected.—
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Cite this Entry
“Play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
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