plays up

verb

present tense third-person singular of play up
as in emphasizes
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 plays up As Berenger and Rogers are drawn into an affair, Scott plays up the contrast between her wealthy Upper East Side world and his working-class life in an outer borough. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Cox, who grew up a fan of Dodgers utilityman Chris Taylor, is a primary outfielder but has impressed during his brief time at second base, making several difficult plays up the middle. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026 In advertisements, Tiffany plays up his roots on a Wisconsin dairy farm and love of the Green Bay Packers and a brandy old fashioned. — Clay Masters, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026 Keserich plays up short commute times and relative affordability when pitching the region to businesses as a vice president of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 19 June 2026 This blunt cut by stylist Shaylee Blatz plays up thickness but doesn't look weighed down. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 16 June 2026 This stainless steel iteration is a sleeker iteration that loses the embellishment of traditional ceramics but plays up the streamlined elegance. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 9 June 2026 Or, let air-dry with a scrunch of mousse that plays up your hair’s natural texture. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 9 June 2026 If Yamal plays up to his potential, La Roja could very well earn its second star above its crest. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 6 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plays up
  1. emphasizes
  2. highlights
  3. features
  4. stresses
Verb
  • The piece emphasizes that Californians, especially Democrats and independents, strongly favor voting by mail and already rely on it at very high rates, suggesting that restricting mail ballots would disenfranchise large numbers of lawful voters.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • New research into the interior of Mars further emphasizes that the Red Planet is a world of two very different halves.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of emphasizes
Verb
  • This column highlights some of Rick’s favorite places and travel insights over a lifetime of exploring Europe and sharing his discoveries.
    — Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Tang hopes that his research highlights the need for more education on the clinician side to reduce the disparities in response rates.
    — Elise Haulund, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of highlights
Verb
  • The bag is big enough to hold all your travel essentials—even a small umbrella or tablet—and features two slip pockets and one zip pocket inside.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Where to eat and drink The 1947 classic Cattlemen's Steak House, which was given a new life—along with a members-only club in its basement—by mega-producer Taylor Sheridan, features modern steakhouse go-tos.
    — Christine Lennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of features
Verb
  • The warmer weather also dries out the soil and stresses plants, especially those in drought-prone regions such as the West and the Southwest.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Consequently, Aydemir stresses that silk denim is aimed more at premium and fashion-forward segments rather than utility markets, which inherently limits its range of applications.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of stresses

Browse Nearby Words

plays out
plays up
plays (upon)
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Cite this Entry

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

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