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
That’s to say, Jefferson played up to the standards and expectations of a Chargers’ defense that has given up an average of 15 points per game in victories over the Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs.
—
Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025
Xi played up a message that world is in a state of flux and chaos, and China is the responsible, stable power to guide it into the future.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Though the team is loaded with talent on the offensive side of the ball, the defense has not played up to par.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Lynch, the women’s intercontinental champion and one of the top heels on the RAW roster, played up her villainous role to the crowd.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2025
In the 50 Shades films, her blankness gave Anastasia Steele a naïveté that could be played up or down depending on the game of the scene.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
In a Monday night game at Elland Road, a long ball was played up to Rodney Wallace on the edge of the box.
—Max Mathews, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
The Vera Institute's advocacy arm Vera Action, for example, assessed that the the GOP spent more than $1 billion attacking Democrats on crime and immigration in 2024, while Democrats spent roughly $319 million on advertisements that played up their public safety records.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025
Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025
Xi played up a message that world is in a state of flux and chaos, and China is the responsible, stable power to guide it into the future.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Though the team is loaded with talent on the offensive side of the ball, the defense has not played up to par.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Lynch, the women’s intercontinental champion and one of the top heels on the RAW roster, played up her villainous role to the crowd.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2025
In the 50 Shades films, her blankness gave Anastasia Steele a naïveté that could be played up or down depending on the game of the scene.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
In a Monday night game at Elland Road, a long ball was played up to Rodney Wallace on the edge of the box.
—Max Mathews, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
The Vera Institute's advocacy arm Vera Action, for example, assessed that the the GOP spent more than $1 billion attacking Democrats on crime and immigration in 2024, while Democrats spent roughly $319 million on advertisements that played up their public safety records.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played up
Verb
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For instance, the suit notes that internal documents highlighted a broker who, in 2018, broke the rules on creating loads of fake accounts.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
18 Sep. 2025
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The attack highlighted the limits of Qatar’s Patriot missile batteries, which are designed to intercept aircraft and cruise missiles but not ballistic weapons traveling at several times the speed of sound through the upper atmosphere.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The business group also emphasized that the licenses still do not guarantee steady access to the rare earths, increasing uncertainty for businesses.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
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Great Jones, KitchenAid, and Le Creuset all emphasized that colorful cookware can be an easy way to bring more joy into the kitchen.—
Heather Riske,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ladapo’s predecessors stressed the importance of hepatitis A vaccines and flu shots.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
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As Democrats push to extend Obamacare subsidies set to expire at the end of the year, Cole stressed that issue and debate is outside of his committee's jurisdiction -- though Johnson could hypothetically direct him to attach it to the CR.—
Allison Pecorin,
ABC News,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Blitz, Steve McQueen’s 2024 film about the Luftwaffe bombing of London, featured an improbably mixed-race protagonist.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
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The album — Cyrus’ ninth LP to date — featured Brittany Howard and Naomi Campbell.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Played up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played%20up. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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