as in to spend
to make complete use of
we've finally played out the leftovers from that huge holiday meal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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 play out
Leavitt, however, didn't provide many details of how exactly a U.S. takeover would play out.
—
Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2025
How could this play out? Dr. Beckley, Dr. Paal, and Robert Ross, a professor of political science at Boston College and expert on Chinese security policy and U.S.-China relations, all see Mr. Trump’s desire to reclaim the Panama Canal as showmanship.
—Nate Iglehart, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Feb. 2025
This top-down approach is all about creating a world view to determine the sectors and industries that stand to benefit or struggle as broader market and geopolitical trends play out.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025
Many Americans have watched long-term care play out for a parent or grandparent.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for play out 
Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2025
How could this play out? Dr. Beckley, Dr. Paal, and Robert Ross, a professor of political science at Boston College and expert on Chinese security policy and U.S.-China relations, all see Mr. Trump’s desire to reclaim the Panama Canal as showmanship.
—Nate Iglehart, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Feb. 2025
This top-down approach is all about creating a world view to determine the sectors and industries that stand to benefit or struggle as broader market and geopolitical trends play out.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025
Many Americans have watched long-term care play out for a parent or grandparent.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for play out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play out
Verb
-
From feeling the sunshine on your skin to swimming in crystal-clear waters, spending time at the beach can have a healing impact on your wellbeing.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Much has been made of the amount Chelsea have spent on the squad via the transfer market since the takeover, with more than £1billion ($1.3bn) committed to new signings.—
Simon Johnson,
The Athletic,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
By cutting out sugar and consuming the right amount of carbohydrates and protein before and after training, the defender put on 10kg without losing any speed.—
Jay Harris,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
-
While Nile crocodiles typically drag their prey into the water and consume them, Gustave has been repeatedly observed killing humans and leaving their bodies behind.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The swamp is not being drained; it’s being filled with more water than the Panama Canal.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Patrick Reed drained a hole-in-one at the 'Watering Hole,' which sent fans into a frenzy.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The Cowboys seem to be more concerned about the possibility of cap hell than exhausting every last resource to win now.—
Jon Machota,
The Athletic,
13 Feb. 2025
-
The bar does not take action in a case until the appeals process is exhausted, a spokesperson said.—
Gary Klien,
The Mercury News,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
That instigated a backlash from people who said the plan would draw down the aquifer, thinning lakes and threatening drinking water even beyond Ohio’s borders.—
Anna Clark,
ProPublica,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Borrowing to support capital improvements was not on the list of factors the ratings agencies said would trigger further downgrades, Jaworski told Conway during a committee hearing last week; Borrowing to fill budget gaps, drawing down on reserves, or shorting pension payments were.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Lurking within the various plotlines is a critique of the greed and selfishness baked into Baby Boomers and Gen X, who used up the planet’s resources without concern for the fallout faced by their offspring.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Get The Recipe 16 of 20 Chicken-And-Rice Soup With Mushrooms This easy weeknight meal is loaded with flavor and a great way to use up those back of the fridge and pantry ingredients.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Guided by billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, the Trump administration has moved aggressively the past week to fire probationary workers across federal departments and agencies in an effort to drastically reduce the size of the government.—
Joey Garrison,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
-
An extra set of eyes and ears helps reduce the odds of injury.—
Josh Honeycutt,
Outdoor Life,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Although many at first wondered whether his threats of tariffs were a bluff and his suggestion that the U.S. absorb Canada was a joke, there is a growing sense that he must be taken seriously.—
Kate Linthicum and Denis Calnan Los Angeles Times (TNS),
arkansasonline.com,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Almost no area could absorb that much rain without flooding, but recent storms have already soaked soils in this region and make the threat that much more serious.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN,
16 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near play out
Cite this Entry
“Play out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20out. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share