1
as in recreating
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 performing
to present a portrayal or performance of
played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in mocking
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 lounging
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 managing
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 putting
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 playing
Baseball owners, with Dick Monfort playing a prominent role as a hawk in labor negotiations, are expected to lock out the players after this season, seeking a salary cap, believing that is the only reason the Dodgers win.
—
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2026
Back in 2013, Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez tore a ligament in his thumb while playing for the Dominican Republic.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
Jeanne’s soccer-playing grandsons arrived.
—Allegra Goodman, Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
Participants often come from various backgrounds, playing different styles of mahjong, such as Taiwanese, Filipino, Singaporean and American (commonly associated with Jewish communities), which — unlike other the styles — uses a card that is issued annually to set the winning hands for each year.
—Grace Hwang Lynch, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Dealing with major job market challenges That includes Covista playing a leading role in some of the challenges the health-care industry is facing.
—Ian Thomas, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
At the Rancho Bernardo Library concert Albrent will be playing the violin her father made for her.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Friday will iron out a clearer picture with Gainesville playing Van Alstyne and Prosper Richland playing Panther Creek.
—Ishmael Johnson, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Boone also hopes that playing the outfield will remain an option for Stanton, though using him out there would likely come out of necessity, not preference.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2026
Back in 2013, Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez tore a ligament in his thumb while playing for the Dominican Republic.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
Jeanne’s soccer-playing grandsons arrived.
—Allegra Goodman, Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
Participants often come from various backgrounds, playing different styles of mahjong, such as Taiwanese, Filipino, Singaporean and American (commonly associated with Jewish communities), which — unlike other the styles — uses a card that is issued annually to set the winning hands for each year.
—Grace Hwang Lynch, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Dealing with major job market challenges That includes Covista playing a leading role in some of the challenges the health-care industry is facing.
—Ian Thomas, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
At the Rancho Bernardo Library concert Albrent will be playing the violin her father made for her.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Friday will iron out a clearer picture with Gainesville playing Van Alstyne and Prosper Richland playing Panther Creek.
—Ishmael Johnson, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Boone also hopes that playing the outfield will remain an option for Stanton, though using him out there would likely come out of necessity, not preference.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing
Verb
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Those recreating in alpine environments should plan ahead and be prepared for ice, snow, high winds, and subzero temperatures.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
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The airline prides itself on recreating the feel-good coziness and charm of Austrian culture even at 30,000 feet.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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By controlling edge recombination through passivation, these wafers can maintain strong carrier collection and high efficiency, translating their theoretical advantages into practical, high-performing solar cells.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The Bluewater Kings Band will be performing throughout the reception, with instrumentals during cocktail hour.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Claude, Anthropic’s chatbot, released multiple ads earlier this month mocking OpenAI for its decision to display ads on ChatGPT.—
Max Rego,
The Hill,
12 Feb. 2026
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The only notable Paxton campaign TV spot has been centered around an AI video mocking Cornyn.—
Joseph Morton,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The contrast piping detail gives it something structured for the lounging expert, and takes the robe from being a symbol of laziness to a symbol of sustained self-care.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
2 Feb. 2026
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The pieces are made of a soft, wrinkle-resistant material that’s comfortable for traveling or lounging at home.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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City staff is evaluating options for managing the orchard, including working with existing staff.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
-
With a dual perspective, this novel follows Maya managing her grief and facing the past while mothers in China are forced to give up their own daughters.—
Amanda Favazza,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Councilmember Monica Rodriguez voted against the measure, arguing the council had not done its job to reduce spending elsewhere before putting taxes on the ballot.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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The goal is to engage kids in learning about history and civic engagement while putting them on a path to potentially work in the music industry, said the department’s Chief Academic Officer Irene Parisi.—
Theo Peck-Suzuki,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Still, the actress felt the weight of portraying a figure so beloved for her signature minimalist style.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
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Alberdi explores the tale from Ale’s perspective through the use of dramatizations, with actress Ana Celeste Montalvo Peña portraying Ale, and Armando Espitia as Arturo.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, previously said in a statement that accounts imitating other people go against their terms of service and are removed when flagged.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
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Broncos fans have rallied around their backup quarterback, with thousands of fans changing their social media avatars to a picture of Stidham’s face, photoshopped with sunglasses and headphones, imitating a LeBron James meme.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Playing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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