play 1 of 2

verb

Definition of playnext
1
as in to recreate
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to perform
to present a portrayal or performance of played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic

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3
as in to pose (as)
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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4
as in to lounge
to spend time in aimless activity just played around while we waited for the bus to arrive

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to manipulate
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently this is how we're going to play the situation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to put
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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play

2 of 2

noun

ˈplā How to pronounce play (audio)
1
as in relaxation
activity engaged in to amuse oneself it's such a delight to watch the children in their play

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drama
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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3
as in game
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously I didn't mean to insult anyone, for it was all just play

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in use
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end the guy at the bar made an unusually creative play to get her phone number

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun play differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of play are fun, game, jest, and sport. While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

In what contexts can fun take the place of play?

While the synonyms fun and play are close in meaning, fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

played cards just for fun

How do game and sport relate to one another, in the sense of play?

Game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

When can jest be used instead of play?

While in some cases nearly identical to play, jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

When would sport be a good substitute for play?

Although the words sport and play have much in common, sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone.

teasing begun in sport led to anger

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
Verb
Nick Blake, Steve’s son, committed to play for Williams and Maryland next season. —Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 27 May 2025 Bands play weekends, and the weeknights feature the usual run of bar promotions such as a trivia contest on Tuesdays and karaoke Wednesdays. —Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2025
Noun
Hurricanes at Panthers Game 4 | Monday, May 26, 2025 The game’s only goal prior to empty-netters by Sebastian Aho and Jordan Staal came on a broken play midway through the second period. —Adam H. Beasley, Miami Herald, 27 May 2025 There was lots of offensive wizardry to be viewed from Datsyuk, but also video of his staunch defensive play, responsible positioning and masterful stickwork to pickpocket opposing players. —Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play
  1. perform
  2. lounge
  3. manipulate
  4. put
  5. relaxation
  6. drama
  7. game
  8. use
Verb
  • But this year, the original cast members of Hamilton are not throwing away their shot to perform at Broadway’s biggest night.
    — Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 3 June 2025
  • Also in New York City, Uma Thurman brings her daughter Luna to the opening night of Eurydice, while Ciara performs at King's Cross in London.
    — Toria Sheffield, People.com, 3 June 2025
Definition of perform
Verb
  • The corridor was branded as the 16th Street Mall and designed to compete with suburban development, a place to shop, dine, lounge around or walk to work.
    — Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 29 May 2025
  • The boat staff is congenial and knowledgeable, so don’t hesitate to ask it about island history or to take a picture of you and your crew lounging on the deck.
    — DeMarco Williams, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of lounge
Verb
  • This may surprise the more than 1 million Californians who received $21.65 apiece from the state in mid-May after a settlement reached by state Attorney General Rob Bonta with three gasoline trading firms that allegedly manipulated gas prices in 2016 during another refinery outage.
    — Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 6 June 2025
  • Deepfakes are manipulated images, audio recordings, or videos of real people that have been altered with artificial intelligence to misrepresent someone as saying or doing something that the person did not actually say or do.
    — Alain Sherter, CBS News, 6 June 2025
Definition of manipulate
Verb
  • Trump was given 10 days to put the injunction into effect, per the order accompanying the ruling.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 30 May 2025
  • The Mavericks put the Wolves down early in that affair thanks to some incredible shot making from Luka Doncic.
    — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 29 May 2025
Definition of put
Noun
  • The class encompasses information about exercises to prepare the mother for birth, relaxation and coping techniques, pain control options, labor positioning, induction and C-section basics, recovery and welcoming baby.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2025
  • This is especially significant with the planet of love in your sixth house of daily routines, so consider this all the more reason to request a personal day for some well-deserved rest and relaxation.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 5 June 2025
Definition of relaxation
Noun
  • More recently, Joss appeared in two episodes of the Sylvester Stallone mob drama Tulsa King in 2022.
    — Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • On May 31, the actors took the stage at a packed Paramount Theatre and reminisced about their days filming seven seasons of the drama centered on a New York advertising agency in the 1960s.
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 2 June 2025
Definition of drama
Noun
  • With each game, she’s added more Knicksy sartorial touches.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 1 June 2025
  • Photo : Legendary Productions/Luxury Resort Portfolio The game room includes arcade-style driving games.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 1 June 2025
Definition of game
Noun
  • At the service desk, patrons will be required to watch videos about proper use and how to properly lock the bikes up.
    — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
  • Investing funds to prevent and end homelessness is a wise use of federal dollars.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
Definition of use

Phrases Containing play

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plausibly
play
playact
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Cite this Entry

“Play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on play

Nglish: Translation of play for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about play

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