play out

verb

Definition of play outnext
as in to spend
to make complete use of we've finally played out the leftovers from that huge holiday meal

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 play out Window closing to find survivors These are the kinds of scenes playing out across La Guaira state, with people milling around in the streets after being left homeless, uncertain of what to do next. — Fernando Narro Roman, NPR, 28 June 2026 Cook, who has remained in the post while the case plays out, called the allegations a pretext to oust her over monetary policy differences. — Will Dunham, USA Today, 28 June 2026 How does this play out in the employment market? — Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 These same dynamics are now playing out in litigation over social media and youth mental health. — Alex Smolak, STAT, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for play out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play out
  1. spend
  2. consume
  3. drain
  4. exhaust
  5. draw down
  6. use up
  7. reduce
  8. absorb
Verb
  • His campaign spent about $1 million to air two versions of the same ad, lower than the $4 million amount that was previously reported.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Compared to Geese, who spent years touring and releasing records before finally striking gold, Heathers has taken the sort of industry fast-track that makes conspiracy theorists start rolling out their corkboards and thumbtacks.
    — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of spend
Verb
  • That marks a decline from the 2002–2004 period, when 79% of Catholics reported consuming alcoholic beverages.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
  • That equipment adds components, consumes electricity, and increases system complexity.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of consume
Verb
  • Allen drained it to extend Charlotte’s lead to 20, and then found Dennis Schröder for a high-five as Miami called a timeout.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
  • In hopes of restoring the water's blue hue, park rangers partially drained Morning Glory in the 1970s to extract debris.
    — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of drain
Verb
  • When all out-of-court options have been exhausted, and the MCA debt threatens the immediate survival of an otherwise viable business, legal reorganization is the final angle of management.
    — Nathan Mor, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Like athletes in other pro leagues, NFL players must first exhaust out-of-court arbitration and grievance procedures.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of exhaust
Verb
  • To cover the cost increases out of pocket, trucking firms have drawn down savings, redirected spending away from maintenance, or halted purchases of fuel-efficient trucks.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • From March 2013 to February 2014, during Jolly's tenure at Boston Finance Group, the company drew down more than $10 million from CSNT, the accountant's analysis shows.
    — Cristian Benavides, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of draw down
Verb
  • Having used up plenty of relievers, manager Pat Murphy decided to keep impending Cy Young Award winner Jacob Misiorowski in the dugout and go with Shane Drohan.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The bar also will provide an outlet to use up inventory left over from Idaho Tipsy Trailers events.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of use up
Verb
  • Integrating the interceptor into existing launch infrastructure could reduce the need for extensive equipment changes.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • People can donate clean costumes and pick a new one, reducing waste and the resources and emissions required to make new ones.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • The health risks posed by lead depend on factors such as a person's age, how the lead is absorbed and how long a person is exposed.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Light energy enters through a primary, high-energy pathway where sunlight is strongly absorbed.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of absorb

Browse Nearby Words

play (on or upon)
play out
plays
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Play out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play%20out. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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