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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Recent Examples of played
The Pro Football Hall of Famer who played 17 years for the Miami Dolphins is widely considered to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, served as an analyst for The NFL Today on CBS for over a decade and most importantly was in a movie with Jim Carrey and an actual dolphin.
—
Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Aduba, 44, played famous detective Cordelia Cupp, who was determined to solve an unexpected murder at the White House, in The Residence.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Saperstein is a fictional executive played by Barinholtz on The Studio who is integral to the show's own awards show episode.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2025
The Falcons played their opener two weeks ago and then had a bye.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 Sep. 2025
The team behind the research noted that many of these genes are tied to developmental delay, which may have played a role in the slower pace of postnatal brain growth in humans compared to chimpanzees.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
The 2025 edition of the Mayor’s Cup will be played under the lights.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
The cumulative weight of all those moments that make up an ordinary life is the subject of this elegiac macro-miniaturist portrait of an itinerant worker in the early 1900s Pacific Northwest, played by Joel Edgerton in what might be the best work of his career.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025
Mahomes played quarterback for Texas Tech before being drafted as the 10th pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
—Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Aduba, 44, played famous detective Cordelia Cupp, who was determined to solve an unexpected murder at the White House, in The Residence.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Saperstein is a fictional executive played by Barinholtz on The Studio who is integral to the show's own awards show episode.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2025
The Falcons played their opener two weeks ago and then had a bye.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 Sep. 2025
The team behind the research noted that many of these genes are tied to developmental delay, which may have played a role in the slower pace of postnatal brain growth in humans compared to chimpanzees.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
The 2025 edition of the Mayor’s Cup will be played under the lights.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
The cumulative weight of all those moments that make up an ordinary life is the subject of this elegiac macro-miniaturist portrait of an itinerant worker in the early 1900s Pacific Northwest, played by Joel Edgerton in what might be the best work of his career.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025
Mahomes played quarterback for Texas Tech before being drafted as the 10th pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
—Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played
Verb
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The growing beauty also recreated one of her mom’s photos, posing by the pool in a swimsuit next to some Louis Vuitton bags.—
Essence,
Essence,
15 Sep. 2025
-
In the summer of 1969 — weeks before the first humans walked on the moon — Manabe and Bryan recreated the Earth.—
Zack Savitsky,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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From mid-November 2021 to May 2022, the postings recounted reconnaissance of the target performed in the lead-up to the attack.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Following a software update, the G1 recently performed side flips and has demonstrated kung fu-style moves, including punches, sweeping kicks, and roundhouse strikes.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Former Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole liked an Instagram post that mocked current Warrior Draymond Green's basketball skills.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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Comedians mercilessly mocked their audiences, and audiences liked to punch back.—
Adrienne LaFrance,
The Atlantic,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Throughout their trip, Gomez and her friends lounged on the beach and dressed up in matching sweatsuits.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Guests of the hotel lounged around the pool, mingling, laughing, and dancing.—
L'Oréal Blackett,
Refinery29,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Mercado, who has handled domestic violence calls, said that police should contact the victim as quickly as possible because time is of the essence in these incidents.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
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Roji Films and Toei present the feature, with world sales handled by EST N8 and Toei.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Aztecs took an early lead in Pullman two weeks ago before Washington State ran off 29 straight points, including 16 in less than five minutes late in the first half to put the game away.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Two goals and an assist from the Argentine were enough to secure back-to-back wins for Miami and put it on the brink of a place in the playoffs and still within a chance of retaining the Supporters’ Shield.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt favorite Tituss Burgess and Culture Club singer Boy George have also entertained audiences in the part.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
19 Sep. 2025
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Lesbians who love age gaps deserve to be entertained just as much as anyone else.—
Ana Osorno,
Them.,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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According to the West Midlands police, the force involved, the video is misleading and heavily edited, and no such demand was made in the manner portrayed.—
Emma Marsden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
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But all characters and events portrayed are fictional.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Played.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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