as in exploits
to control or take advantage of by artful, unfair, or insidious means
played upon the customer's vanity to convince her to buy the expensive makeup kit
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plays (upon)
Verb
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This configuration exploits the boundary layer of air flowing over the airframe to increase efficiency.—
David Szondy
June 14,
New Atlas,
14 June 2026 -
The hackers used a common tactic known as credential stuffing to access the data, which exploits weak and reused passwords.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Okorie is the best driving guard in the class, a 6-1 jitterbug who manipulates defenders with a tight handle, sudden changes of speed, and an advanced feel for the game.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
16 June 2026
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Facial massage manipulates big muscles in the face, such as the masseters, temporalis and platysma, as well as fascia.—
Lauren Finney Harden,
AJC.com,
10 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Plays (upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plays%20%28upon%29. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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