playing up

verb

present participle of play up
as in highlighting
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

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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 playing up Vance has been playing up to MAGA lately, going hard on immigration and confronting reporters similar to his boss. — Joe Battenfeld, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026 State Farm is playing up its personalized plans with a couple of spots that feature Mahomes, and Chiefs coach Andy Reid makes an appearance in one of the ads. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026 Boobie had also been playing up one — or two even — age levels. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Khusnutdinov, on whom the B’s are high, morphed into Sturm’s Swiss Army knife last season, playing up and down and all over the lineup. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 Forty-three football-playing schools are playing up in class this season. — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The fourth member of the household is Terry’s lurking aide, an androgynous aesthete named Steven (theater producer Jordan Roth, playing up the character’s feline strangeness). — Judy Berman, Time, 5 Aug. 2026 These athletes created signature shoes, playing up their personal stories in the marketing. — Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 Collins and Buddy Carter are playing up their conservative records on Capitol Hill, while former college football coach Derek Dooley pitches himself as a political outsider. — ABC News, 19 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing up
  1. highlighting
  2. emphasizing
  3. stressing
  4. featuring
Verb
  • This reframes California's economic health, highlighting a vibrant, diverse entrepreneurial spirit that continues to shine.
    — Lisa Curtis, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • For some Donalds supporters, like 56-year-old Cushing from Aventura, the choice to pick a Cuban American as lieutenant governor did signal a bigger change in the Republican Party and was worth highlighting.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of highlighting
Verb
  • The findings build on a growing body of research on the neurological connections between the brain and the digestive system, emphasizing the importance of our gut bacteria in maintaining good cognitive health.
    — Mike McRae August 25, New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Under Norman, the defensive linemen as a group are doing drills and emphasizing parts of the position that weren’t given as much attention previously, and Funderburg has been a chief beneficiary.
    — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of emphasizing
Verb
  • Both leaders warn that even giants like Amazon aren't too big to fail, stressing customer focus and constant adaptation.
    — Jason Goldberg, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • After the recent brawls, both teams released statements stressing the importance of a safe ballpark environment.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of stressing
Verb
  • Yamazaki returns as director for a film Toho and Gkids describe as featuring more extensive effects work than its predecessor, while keeping its post-World War II Japan setting grounded in the experiences of its characters.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Both the private-label line and the wider retail assortment were initially available in 150 Old Navy stores in a grab-and-go concept, with 45 of those stores also featuring dedicated beauty shops-in-shop as part of the pilot.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of featuring

Browse Nearby Words

playing out
playing up
playing (upon)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Playing up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing%20up. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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