PLAYED UP Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

played up

verb

past tense of play up

as in highlighted

to indicate the importance of by centering attention on that TV news program plays up sensational stories just to get higher ratings

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 played up Trump played up the industry’s potential in the days after Maduro’s capture. — Fabiola Zerpa, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026 However, Pelosi said the feud was never serious and was often played up by the press. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 11 Aug. 2026 There’s a receptiveness to Helaena that at times can be really funny but also played up the tragedy of her arc this season. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 The biggest obstacle is going to be ocean gusts that in my experience, played up to three clubs. — Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Alex Bregman hasn’t yet played up to his five-year, $175 million contract. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 26 July 2026 There’s none of the sultriness of contrast played up by Gérôme for mystique, and also no timeless air. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 13 July 2026 Dolan in her own statement played up the virtues of a home entertainment release. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 While Robinson's defense played up the fact the ATF was unable to conclusively match the bullet that killed Kirk to the Mauser, analysts couldn't rule it out either. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for played up

Verb

Indiana Senator Jim Banks also highlighted the Indianapolis operation’s role in military engine production.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Wall Street Journal columnist Elizabeth Bernstein recently highlighted this eloquently.

— David H. Rosmarin, Time, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of highlighted

Verb

Lisa is seeing what this experience could be for her, which only emphasized just how bad her current situation on RHOSLC is.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Morgan Stanley's wrapup of the recent World Robot Conference in Beijing emphasized a preference for leading parts makers, including Shuanghuan.

— Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of emphasized

Verb

Speaking to the state Transportation Commission last week in San Diego, Kosup stressed that another reason for the fenders is that Navy ships have also gotten larger since the bridge opened.

— David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026
The team also stressed that scientists’ microscopic measurements result in a global impact.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of stressed

Browse Nearby Words

played out

played up

played (upon)

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Played up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played%20up. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of played up

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes