plays out

present tense third-person singular of play out

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of plays out The heroic death plays out almost as a footnote in an otherwise grim day at sea. Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2026 This comes as a Big 12 lawsuit against the university and others, plays out in court. S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 16 June 2026 Cynthia wants to get down to the bottom of Shamea’s erratic behavior, and the scene plays out like an angsty teen getting sent to the principal’s office. Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 15 June 2026 Less than two miles away, a similarly bustling scene plays out on California Avenue, often considered Palo Alto’s second downtown. Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 9 June 2026 The thriller plays out from the perspective of both women. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 9 June 2026 In humans with advanced metabolic disease, the same collapse plays out in Charcot’s foot, where the bones of the ankle and midfoot fracture and disintegrate under the weight of a body the metabolism can no longer regulate. Joshua Moen, STAT, 8 June 2026 While that plays out, Gomez's term is slated to end June 30. ABC News, 26 May 2026 Of course the Kentucky Derby showed more of the same, but depending on how the race plays out at Saratoga, Pletcher’s charge may not be coming from far off the pace. Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plays out
Verb
  • The amount a farmer spends on fertilizer is a small fraction of the total cost to grow food and get it to grocery store shelves.
    Joe Hernandez, NPR, 3 July 2026
  • Pz’ spends much of his proper debut, No Turning Back, equally baffled by his good fortune and ready to fasten it to his side with a Gucci strap before anyone else can take it.
    Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • Yet a cannabis marketer who consumes — or, just as notably, one who doesn’t — often finds their professional credibility subjected to a level of scrutiny that has no real parallel elsewhere.
    Peter Su, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • One early target is underground mine ventilation, which consumes a significant share of electricity at subsurface operations.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Make sure to empty any excess water that drains into the saucer to keep the roots from getting soggy.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
  • If a demanding day drains you, take a short break before making a purchase.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • Watching this scene, and much of the film, exhausts me.
    Jenny Odell, Longreads, 2 June 2026
  • If the search for a large outdoor planter exhausts you—just get a terra-cotta planter.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Asked about arms sales to Taiwan, Hegseth downplayed concerns that a multi-billion-dollar package could be ‌affected as the United States draws down its weapons stockpiles amid the Middle ⁠East conflict.
    Reuters, NBC news, 30 May 2026
  • The Bulgarian warrant pilot has to clear before any of the $100 million pipeline behind it draws down.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026
Verb
  • Good posture helps prevent aches in the back, neck and shoulders, reduces joint wear and lowers the risk of sports injuries, according to Cleveland Clinic.
    Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026
  • Skipping the stove and oven also reduces indoor heat, so lean on cold sandwiches, salads and no-cook meals during the worst hours.
    Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Often, firming lotions are thick and leave a white cast, but this Olay option, which more than 30,000 buyers have picked up in the past month alone, is lightweight, non-greasy, and absorbs quickly.
    Claire West, InStyle, 1 July 2026
  • As artificial intelligence rapidly absorbs routine coding, research, analysis, and administrative tasks, many of the entry-level roles that once introduced young people to professional life are being transformed.
    C.M. Rubin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Summer uses a family trip to a Caribbean resort to cause chaos and sabotage the relationship.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Unlike conventional ion traps that rely on oscillating radio-frequency fields, the Penning trap uses static electric and magnetic fields.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Plays out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plays%20out. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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