at play

phrase

1
: in the act of playing
the sounds of children at play
2
: being something that helps produce or influence a result
Several issues are at play in determining the price of gasoline.

Examples of at play in a Sentence

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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.
When these questions begin to feel exhausting, decision fatigue could be at play. — Kriti Kumar, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026 Still, there is a generational divide at play, and the repercussions could still be felt. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026 Then there is another element at play that a lot of these BigSEC10 schools, the coaches, their fans and big-money boosters are navigating, and coming to terms with — in the age of the super conference, your team is going to lose. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026 There are no fist-pumping anthems, blister-raising leads or Homme’s cool-AF braggadocio at play here. — Jason Pettigrew, SPIN, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for at play

Rhymes for at play

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Browse Nearby Words

at peace
at play
at present
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Cite this Entry

“At play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20play. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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