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 The concealer, which comes in 25 shades, goes on top to add a subtle glow that plays up the color of the eyes. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 16 Oct. 2026 The hotel plays up its proximity to ACL Live, with framed photographs of the show and an Austin City Limits coffee table book of images captured by the same photographer. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026 As for the rest of the roster, the Yankees decided Friday that Gerrit Cole would start Game 1, a decision driven by how Cole’s stuff plays up at the Trop. — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026 As the series continues, however, Kazan plays up the explanatory power of an incident from Cathy’s childhood. — Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026 Product marketing plays up the same idea, pitching double-bowl designs such as the 33-inch Ruvati workstation for multitaskers who want one spot for washing veggies and drying dishes. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026 Hair, the Never Thirsty campaign plays up the internet’s fascination with Efron’s shower habits while giving the whole thing a self-aware beauty twist. — Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026 The book is enlivened by Andersen’s gift for satire, which plays up the comic potential of ideological extremes. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 Unsurprisingly, the Elie Saab H&M collection plays up after-dark glamour, and just in time for holiday party season, too. — Tina Isaac-Goizé, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plays up
  1. emphasizes
  2. highlights
  3. features
  4. stresses
Verb
  • According to Gatto, the right traditionally emphasizes tougher criminal penalties for aggressors, while the left places greater emphasis on protection and support for victims, including shelters and specialized services.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The approach—which emphasizes empathy, boundaries, and collaboration over punishment—has drawn a fair share of criticism.
    — Alex Vance, Parents, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of emphasizes
Verb
  • The exhibition highlights how trade routes connected the Arabian Gulf, East Africa, India, China, and Southeast Asia through the exchange of spices, pearls, textiles, jewelry, and religious beliefs.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • However, Breslow’s absolute removal of the department highlights a more profound debate.
    — Syed Ahmad, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of highlights
Verb
  • The Base-01 features an inflatable exo-frame holding up a weatherproof skin to serve as a transportable, fast-pitching sun shelter, mobile garage, mission control center, and roomy hostel for you and up to nine of your closest friends and allies.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The property features only three suites and can be rented out as a family or friend holiday house.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of features
Verb
  • The memo stresses that troops are forbidden from using both classified and unclassified but nonpublic information to make trades on platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Riders without their dragons are as good as dead, and vice versa, which stresses the bond between human and beast formed on Threshing Day.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 15 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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