as in highlighting
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of playing up
Peeke, meanwhile, had an up-and-down season, starting well while playing up in the lineup with Hampus Lindholm.
—
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026
Is your team playing up to its potential?
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Rose said Ye bought into her flattery and liked the idea of drinking booze and playing up his bigshot status.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026
What’s the harm in asking, or playing up the theatrics?
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2026
On his Instagram page, Simonds appears to relish in playing up an overly-confident wrestler.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
Repossi finessed the rose gold used in its latest spiraling Blast high jewelry pieces, playing up its yellow gleam under a gradient of orange gemstones.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
Lately, Laine noted, the WWE’s star villain Becky Lynch has been using some familiar-sounding language while playing up her status as a sore loser.
—Michael Ballaban, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
The cuddly canines and spirited mutts making up Team Fluff and Team Ruff will battle for the coveted Lombarky Trophy, while also playing up for the cameras in hopes of finding their forever home.
—Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Feb. 2026
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026
Is your team playing up to its potential?
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Rose said Ye bought into her flattery and liked the idea of drinking booze and playing up his bigshot status.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026
What’s the harm in asking, or playing up the theatrics?
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2026
On his Instagram page, Simonds appears to relish in playing up an overly-confident wrestler.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
Repossi finessed the rose gold used in its latest spiraling Blast high jewelry pieces, playing up its yellow gleam under a gradient of orange gemstones.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
Lately, Laine noted, the WWE’s star villain Becky Lynch has been using some familiar-sounding language while playing up her status as a sore loser.
—Michael Ballaban, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
The cuddly canines and spirited mutts making up Team Fluff and Team Ruff will battle for the coveted Lombarky Trophy, while also playing up for the cameras in hopes of finding their forever home.
—Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing up
Verb
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Given out for free in streetside orange boxes and in stacks at cafés, The L was stylish and well-informed, highlighting locally famous names and haunts, and establishing a sense of shared community for the corridor.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
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And people shouldn’t bash him for highlighting a California culinary institution that’s one of the better legacy fast food chains out there, even though the Barstow Taco is, well, whatever.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Arisco says that making Maxine American is another way the play is more contemporary, emphasizing a connection between the United States and England.—
Amy Reyes
May 14,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
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Weiner compared it to other iconic wedding in history like Prince Charles and Lady Diana’s wedding, emphasizing the importance of capturing the romance and secrecy of the ceremony.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Piantedosi, however, sought to draw a distinction between the Modena attack and the government’s migration policies, stressing the suspect’s Italian citizenship — while noting that doesn't guarantee successful integration.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2026
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Officials are pleading with farmers not to give up, stressing that local agriculture is crucial for the isolated archipelago.—
Jennifer Sinco Kelleher,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Trump’s meetings with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, began at the Great Hall of the People moments after a welcome ceremony that seemed to impress the president, featuring a Chinese military honor guard and a greeting from excited schoolchildren.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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Read Variety‘s cover story about the long road to Season 50 — featuring interviews with players and producers from the past and present — here.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Playing up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing%20up. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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