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Synonyms
Examples of play up in a Sentence
that TV news program plays up sensational stories just to get higher ratings
Recent Examples on the Web
The Trump administration has tried to play up that narrative, with a series of high-profile arrests in major cities including Chicago, New York and Denver.
—Joel Rose, NPR, 8 Feb. 2025
The performance played up Carpenter’s signature attribute, her humor, by having her feign mistakes and miscues and then regain her composure.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2025
The label’s sculptural assortment plays up new materials and forms as its core process.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025
Still, Dvorak became a top D in his age group with Czechia’s national team and played up at Czechia’s pro level at an early age when healthy.
—Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
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Word History
First Known Use
1814, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near play up
Cite this Entry
“Play up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20up. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
play up
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