as in used
to take unfair advantage of
the candidate played on the voters' prejudices
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played (on or upon)
Verb
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However, Corbett was used as a utility fill-in starter at left guard, center and right guard for the remainder of the season.—
Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
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Elisa, a Concord resident who asked that her last name not be used, said the incident reflects a broader sense of fear within communities.—
Verb
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All three of his passing touchdowns exploited either a safety or linebacker, per Next Gen Stats.—
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Not as freaks to be studied from afar, mimicked, and exploited for other people’s creative whims or amusement, but as complex and whole parts of the world worth exploring and celebrating.—
Verb
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The defendants' sentences were reduced because they were abused by the victims, in accordance with the New York Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act, legislation that Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney criticized.—
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Election administrators around the country who have been abused and harassed for the past six years are keeping a wary eye on the resurgence of the conspiracy theories.—
Verb
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Grok Imagine offers a Black Mirror-esque window into how AI can be leveraged for harm, and yet, as so often feels the case, never-out-the-news tech baron Musk powers on stronger than ever.—
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This ability was leveraged by scientists in 2016 to image a previously undiscovered corridor in the Great Pyramid of Giza.—
Verb
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Freedom from fear mattered because frightened societies are easily manipulated.—
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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.—
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Cite this Entry
“Played (on or upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played%20%28on%20or%20upon%29. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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