1
as in recreating
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 performing
to present a portrayal or performance of
played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in mocking
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 lounging
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 managing
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
this is how we're going to play the situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in putting
to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event
figuring that she had little to lose, she played her last few bucks on the state lottery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples 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 playing
However, with technology functions playing an increasingly integral role in business growth, other C-level roles have emerged to take on some of the responsibilities.
—
Bernard Marr, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Sasaki knew that attempting to expedite his dream of playing in the major leagues would cost him an enormous amount of public goodwill.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Stearns was unaware of his feelings about the media and had not heard from Wolfe or anyone else that Sasaki would be uncomfortable playing in a place like New York.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 Dec. 2024
Twelve Bridges, in its fourth year of playing football, had a big game last week from running back Braeden Ward, who rushed for 206 yards.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Georgia, playing in its second Hoopsgiving event this year, made a VII Group trip to Italy in July 2023.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Some fans say folk purists were booing because Dylan was playing electric, while others say the ruckus was merely over the distorted sound.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024
Hunter’s not just playing two positions at once at an elite level.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
After playing the Pelicans, Denver will continue its road trip with a pair of games in Memphis, starting Sunday.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing
Verb
-
In Week 5, Bynum celebrated his interception of Aaron Rodgers in the first quarter of the Vikings' win over the Jets in London by recreating the iconic handshake from the 1998 Disney movie The Parent Trap.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
-
The Encore sees the duo reuniting and recreating moments from two decades ago, including their return to work at fast-food chain Sonic.Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The spectacle will mark Bey’s first time performing since the release of her Billboard 200-topping album Cowboy Carter.Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 11 Dec. 2024
-
These robots will be capable of performing tasks like cleaning, cooking and offering personalized assistance.Expert Panel®, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The film is far and away the year’s most successful documentary at the box office but has attracted criticism for mocking DEI programs as a scam.Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Dec. 2024
-
In death, Hamilton has remained something of an obsession for Isaac, who has frequently made mocking comments about his contemporary over the show’s four seasons.Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The Gym People leggings feature thick, stretchy fabric that’s great for workouts, lounging, or running errands.Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 10 Dec. 2024
-
Bows and ostrich feather cuffs on your heavenly soft pajamas makes precious downtime of lazy mornings and late-night lounging delightfully decadent.Adam Mansuroglu, WWD, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Social Media Management Tools Tools like Hootsuite and Sprout Social offer essential support for managing social media profiles, allowing brands to plan and schedule posts while tracking engagement metrics.Michael Benedek, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
-
Both women are managing consumer demand that has not only rebounded from Covid-era lows, but surpassed 2019 levels of activity.Maggie McGrath, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
That means not just naming your values and putting them in a frame on the boardroom wall, but also making a real effort to create and share stories that speak to those values.Samantha Reynolds, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
-
This means sometimes putting long-term trust above immediate profits.Mustafa Gandhi, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Elsewhere in his interview with the Sunday Times, Craig dismissed the idea that portraying a gay man while still leading the Bond franchise would have made a statement on masculinity.Michaela Zee, Variety, 8 Dec. 2024
-
Denzel is finally able to act out his one-time fantasy of portraying Jean-Jacques Dessalines in a movie about the Haitian revolution.Armond White, National Review, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Knightley said, before imitating her daughter shunning her from the dance floor at the disco.Latoya Gayle, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
-
For Demi Moore, life is imitating art.Tommy McArdle, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near playing
Cite this Entry
“Playing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share