1
as in to recreate
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 to perform
to present a portrayal or performance of
played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to pose (as)
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 to lounge
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 to manipulate
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
this is how we're going to play the situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in relaxation
activity engaged in to amuse oneself
it's such a delight to watch the children in their play
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drama
a written work in which the story is told through speech and action that is intended to be acted out on stage
we'll be putting on a school play using that stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in game
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously
I didn't mean to insult anyone, for it was all just play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in use
the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose
the host's sense of humor was obviously in play during the awards ceremony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
the guy at the bar made an unusually creative play to get her phone number
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of play
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
The Regency period drama, a true bodice ripper, turns its attention to Benedict, the second Bridgerton son played by Luke Thompson.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Jan. 2026
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Manette poked fun at his famous recliner For over 35 years, Curt has settled into the same teal Bradington Young recliner to eat, watch TV and work out football plays.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play
Verb
Thornton played his first two seasons at Boston College.
—Noun
On the first play from scrimmage in the game, D’Angelo Ponds expected an RPO play from Oregon quarterback Dante Moore.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for play
Verb
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Although his unit did not perform particularly well in 2026, ranking 22nd in total defense, 24th in points against and 17th on third down, anyone that has interacted with Weaver knows that his presence screams head coach.—
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Just thinking about having this film play in the same place where one of his idols, Elvis Presley performed, was thrilling.—
Verb
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They can easily be transitioned from lounging at home to a street-ready outfit or casual traveling, as the stripes can be mixed and matched with a wide range of tops like blazers, denim jackets, and simple tees—all without looking sloppy.—
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This chair makes an ideal lounging spot for reading or watching television, thanks to its supportive foam construction.—
Verb
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An onboard synthesizer manipulates a small set of core sounds to mimic everything from the roar of a jet plane to the flushing of a toilet through a little speaker in the Brick.—
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In some cases, CBS News ran images through AI detection tools, which can be inconsistent or inaccurate but can still help flag possibly manipulated content.—
Verb
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With her signature long waves gathered into a subtle bun at the nape of her neck, this style puts the focus on the sculptural wave framing Seyfried's face opposite a deep side part.—
-
Jalen Brunson's running layup put New York up 72-62 early in the third quarter but the Blazers chipped away, pulling within 90-88 early in the fourth.—
Noun
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Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises.—
-
According to Amex, what unites these destinations is a desire for meaningful travel—whether through first-time adventures, cultural immersion, or settings that balance relaxation with a strong sense of place.—
Noun
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Reagan and Wyman were among the most powerful couples in Hollywood at the time of adoption, having met on the set of the 1938 military comedy Brother Rat, and with Wyman winning an Oscar for her performance in the gritty drama Johnny Belinda in 1948.—
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This year, perhaps more than any other in recent memory, is primed for drama.—
Noun
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After eight games, Lions Coach Dan Campbell opted to relieve Morton of his play-calling duties and take over for the rest of the season.—
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The loss dropped Sacramento to 8-29, half a game ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans for the worst record in the Western Conference, while the Kings’ losing streak extended to six games.—
Noun
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The company also highlighted its shift toward a Robot-as-a-Service model, indicating readiness for global commercial deployment rather than experimental use.—
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The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.—
Cite this Entry
“Play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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