play up

verb

played up; playing up; plays up
Synonyms of play upnext

transitive verb

: emphasize
In the interview, try to play up your strengths.
also : exaggerate, overemphasize
It was only a small achievement but the CEO really played it up.

Examples of play up in a Sentence

that TV news program plays up sensational stories just to get higher ratings
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Willis, who was heterosexual, was happy to play up homoeroticism on stage and on record but joined the group in presenting a more muted media presence as their fame rocketed. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 1 July 2026 Rodrigues and Boqvist are versatile options who can play up or down the Panthers’ lineup but are more expendable now following Florida’s trades for Brady Tkachuk and Garnet Hathaway. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 June 2026 Ricky Saints Michael Cole kept playing up the fact that Trick Williams has never beaten Ricky Saints, which essentially telegraphed a Trick Williams win. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 With less natural light, Miranda-Martin wanted to play up the idea of dining-room-as-treehouse, reflecting the second-floor foliage visible from the small windows. Marissa Gluck, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for play up

Word History

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of play up was in 1814

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Play up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20up. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

play up

verb

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