play to
phrasal verb
played to; playing to; plays to
1
: to behave or perform in a particular way for (someone or something) in order to get approval or attention
He didn't mean what he was saying. He was just playing to the crowd.
He loves publicity and plays to the cameras every chance he gets.
2
: to make use of (something)
a film that plays to stereotypes of housewives
In his latest album, he once again plays to his strengths as a classical musician.
Examples of play to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The takeaway Illinois State made big defensive plays to give the Redbirds a chance.
—
CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Footage of armed guards outside the federal courthouse in Manhattan plays to the sound of chants from a growing crowd across the street.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2026
Texas has 28 three-point plays to its credit with Oldacre (eight) and junior forward Madison Booker (six) leading the 10 Longhorns who have contributed to that total.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
After Gagliardi Trophy winner Kaleb Blaha connected with Blake Rohrer on a 13-yard scoring play to pull the Falcons within 14-10, NCC knocked on the door again in the final seconds of the first half.
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play to
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CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Footage of armed guards outside the federal courthouse in Manhattan plays to the sound of chants from a growing crowd across the street.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2026
Texas has 28 three-point plays to its credit with Oldacre (eight) and junior forward Madison Booker (six) leading the 10 Longhorns who have contributed to that total.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
After Gagliardi Trophy winner Kaleb Blaha connected with Blake Rohrer on a 13-yard scoring play to pull the Falcons within 14-10, NCC knocked on the door again in the final seconds of the first half.
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play to
Cite this Entry
“Play to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20to. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
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