PLAYS Synonyms: 240 Similar and Opposite Words

plays 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of play

as in recreates

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

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as in performs

to present a portrayal or performance of played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic

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as in mocks

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

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as in idles

to spend time in aimless activity just played around while we waited for the bus to arrive

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as in manipulates

to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently this is how we're going to play the situation

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as in puts

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

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plays

2 of 2

noun

plural of play

as in dramas

a written work in which the story is told through speech and action that is intended to be acted out on stage we'll be putting on a school play using that stage

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as in uses

the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose the host's sense of humor was obviously in play during the awards ceremony

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as in ruses

a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end the guy at the bar made an unusually creative play to get her phone number

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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 plays

Verb

Kim plays Seo Yeon-woo, the strategist behind Jeong’s push for revenge, bringing a sharp eye for judgment and motives all his own. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 Music, David said, plays a significant role in his recovery process. — Bianna Golodryga, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 Sky has ordered a second, currently untitled season of the crime drama, in which Spall plays enigmatic Detective Eric Bull. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026 The attacking midfielder, who plays for second-division Kolkheti Poti in his homeland, is currently on loan with top-flight Georgian side Iberia and has already represented his country at under-21 level. — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 In Artificial, directed by Luca Guadagnino, Garfield plays Altman during a five-day OpenAI leadership crisis when Altman was fired and then reinstated as CEO. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026 The soap opera star, who plays Isaiah Gannon on the daytime drama, shared a video on Instagram following the birth of his daughter with wife Anna Eilinsfeld. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026 Robert Pattinson plays Hansen in the film from A24 and director Lance Oppenheim, which takes place in 2006 and follows the show's rise to popularity. — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 That suspension will not apply until the next time Orlando plays in the Leagues Cup, which at the earliest would be next season. — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026

Noun

The three goals Chelsea conceded came from set-piece plays — the first being triggered by a home corner that Brighton successfully countered. — Jon MacKenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026 The Green Bay Packers quarterback called plays during the second half of the team's preseason finale. — Jim Reineking, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 The Hurricanes can go slow and methodical and then pounce late or try to attack with big plays early to build up a lead. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026 Simon and Marion flashed this summer but ultimately didn't make enough plays. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 30 Aug. 2026 And all three plays are in some way about how humans communicate. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2026 Snap counts in the final preseason game are typically pretty indicative of a team’s positioning with a player, and Williams saw the field on 41 plays in the finale on Friday against the New Orleans Saints. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026 Ostensibly, the attention teams would devote to Garrett and Donald might provide Turner with more opportunities for splash plays. — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 Herkov experienced Florida’s first national championship with Wuerffel throwing touchdowns and Spurrier dialing up plays. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plays

Verb

The 1,701-piece collector’s set recreates the original series bridge and transporter room and includes eight Starfleet minifigures.

— Joe Otterson, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
But the current 10-piece ensemble masterfully recreates the group’s canon of hits each night live on stage.

— Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of recreates

Verb

Trump routinely mocks Newsom and refers to the governor using a derogatory nickname, while Newsom taunts the president with frequent social media posts.

— Darlene Superville, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
By and large, the General Assembly mocks his policy proposals and ignores his leadership.

— Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2026

Definition of mocks

Verb

As your car idles, warm air blown from the top of your dashboard will melt the ice on the outside of the windshield.

— Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2025
Security camera footage shows a black vehicle park in front of Café Bernardo, a restaurant, and idles for about two minutes.

— Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 17 Dec. 2025

Definition of idles

Verb

In an interview with the Shade Room last year, Knight’s son, Shanga Hankerson, claimed McDowell pushed the singer into performing and manipulates her.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
An anxiety ring is a piece of jewelry with a spinning band, bead or textured surface that the wearer manipulates with their fingers as a discreet grounding tool.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of manipulates

Verb

My analysis, built on the County’s framework and precedent, puts the exposure at a considerably higher level.

— Joseph M. Singer, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
This is a callous continuation of the ongoing campaign by the same individuals and groups targeting Jewish people and the state of Israel, a pattern of antisemitism and misinformation that puts our community in grave danger.

— K.J. Yossman, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of puts

Noun

One thing goes wrong, then another, then another, all while some pretty serious personal dramas play out in the background.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
ReelShort has struck a deal with Indonesian streaming platform Vidio to bring hundreds of microdramas to local audiences, as well as co-produce new short dramas with Indonesian production houses.

— Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of dramas

Noun

The artificial-intelligence titan resisted Pentagon demands concerning uses of its technology that included mass surveillance and autonomous lethal weapons.

— Scott M. Curran, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
The implementation of these checks and balances can be seen as tactical and their uses have evolved over time in ways the Founders might not have envisioned.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026