as in highlighted
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on
that TV news program plays up sensational stories just to get higher ratings
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Recent Examples of played up
But Jokic hasn’t played up to that caliber through three games of this series, which is a major reason that Minnesota holds a 2-1 advantage heading into Saturday’s Game 4.
—
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
The United States Football League's Oklahoma Outlaws, featuring quarterback Doug Williams, played up the road in Tulsa in 1984.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
When Stearns first took over the team, coverage played up his New York roots.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Sasaki turned in sharp results, and his velocity played up in his short stint as a reliever during last year’s playoff run.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Without acknowledging Pritzker’s substantial financial support in the primary, Stratton’s campaign sent an email to donors Thursday that played up Tracy’s early fundraising edge.
—Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Well, for one thing, the backlash was played up.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
In their New York home, Tina and Joe have played up the charming historical details of their pre-war apartment like original molding and uneven walls.
—Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
Following a devastating turn on The Wire, Jordan played up the drama on the ABC soap opera All My Children.
—Ken Simmons, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
The United States Football League's Oklahoma Outlaws, featuring quarterback Doug Williams, played up the road in Tulsa in 1984.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
When Stearns first took over the team, coverage played up his New York roots.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Sasaki turned in sharp results, and his velocity played up in his short stint as a reliever during last year’s playoff run.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Without acknowledging Pritzker’s substantial financial support in the primary, Stratton’s campaign sent an email to donors Thursday that played up Tracy’s early fundraising edge.
—Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Well, for one thing, the backlash was played up.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
In their New York home, Tina and Joe have played up the charming historical details of their pre-war apartment like original molding and uneven walls.
—Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
Following a devastating turn on The Wire, Jordan played up the drama on the ABC soap opera All My Children.
—Ken Simmons, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played up
Verb
-
The evening will be highlighted by a state dinner featuring notable guests and much pomp and circumstance.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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During the city’s bid process, leaders highlighted the museum alongside the National World War I Museum and Memorial as a key cultural attraction for international visitors.—
Taylor Haught,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Justice Brett Kavanaugh emphasized that a major purpose of the federal law is to provide uniformity.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Friends Remember Ernie Dosio as a Charitable Man Friends and colleagues have emphasized Dosio’s generosity and character, describing him as someone who gave back quietly and consistently.—
Ryan Brennan
April 28,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But the country’s leader, Miguel Díaz-Canel, has denied Cuba has political prisoners and has stressed that his government is not negotiating any internal political matters with the United States.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The mayor and his Office of Mass Engagement commissioner, Tascha Van Auken, both stressed that the initiative is about civic engagement more broadly.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
All products featured on Bon Appétit are independently selected by our editors.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
-
Decked out in matching Route 66 button-up shirts that featured a map of the iconic road, the married couple set out on a road trip to celebrate the centennial.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Played up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played%20up. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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