as in spends
to make complete use of
we've finally played out the leftovers from that huge holiday meal
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Recent Examples of plays out
District Judge Richard Leon, a Bush appointee, has halted the construction project as the legal case plays out.
—
Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026
Federal courts have allowed Cook to stay on the job while the case plays out.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Then again, the Marlins could simply keep Alcantara, see how this season plays out, and revisit his future over the winter.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
If the latter scenario plays out and the Pacers win two or more of their remaining games, the Kings could finish with the worst record, but that is highly unlikely.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Those are two key factors courts weigh in issuing TROs, after which a judge gives a fuller consideration as the legal process plays out.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
No matter how Tuesday’s game plays out, this tournament has been a success for Venezuela.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
What plays out in front of outsiders in the clubhouse is hardly a complete glimpse into the inner workings of a team.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
Kind of seeing what plays out and all that stuff.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 16 Mar. 2026
Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026
Federal courts have allowed Cook to stay on the job while the case plays out.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Then again, the Marlins could simply keep Alcantara, see how this season plays out, and revisit his future over the winter.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
If the latter scenario plays out and the Pacers win two or more of their remaining games, the Kings could finish with the worst record, but that is highly unlikely.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Those are two key factors courts weigh in issuing TROs, after which a judge gives a fuller consideration as the legal process plays out.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
No matter how Tuesday’s game plays out, this tournament has been a success for Venezuela.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
What plays out in front of outsiders in the clubhouse is hardly a complete glimpse into the inner workings of a team.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
Kind of seeing what plays out and all that stuff.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plays out
Verb
-
Barden spends a lot of time speaking to agents and other athlete representatives.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
How Gen X spends Shoppers are seen outside the French multinational personal care and beauty retail brand Sephora store in Spain.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The reason this is important, says Lab Group Manager for R&D Alok Warey, is because aerodynamic drag consumes a lot of battery energy in EVs—up to 50 percent.—
Kristin Shaw,
Popular Science,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Put simply, food noise consumes your life.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This idea of reasonableness is easily caricatured as moral timidity or a bloodless neutrality that drains politics of passion.—
Nikhil Krishnan,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
That’s why a fine textured soil, like clay, drains more poorly than does a coarse, sandy soil.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If the search for a large outdoor planter exhausts you—just get a terra-cotta planter.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
6 Apr. 2026
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As the oil blockade quickly exhausts Cuba’s supply of fuel, triggering a series of lengthy, island-wide blackouts, many here are exhausted and are becoming increasingly vocal about their desire for fundamental changes in Cuba.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In a recent bid to boost transparency, Homeland Security announced a broad rollout of body cameras for immigration officers in Minneapolis as the government draws down ICE’s presence there.—
Jack Brook,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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In a recent bid to boost transparency, DHS announced a broad rollout of body cameras for immigration officers in Minneapolis as the government also draws down ICE's presence there.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This single habit dramatically reduces soap scum, the same buildup that makes tile floors dangerously slippery.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
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This reduces their effectiveness, slowing down your machine and causing long-term damage.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Unlike many mineral sunscreens that can sit heavily on the skin, this one absorbs quickly and has a lightweight, smoothing effect.—
Brigitt Earley,
Glamour,
24 Apr. 2026
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The luciferase catalyzes the oxidation of luciferin, producing blue light, which GFP then absorbs and re-emits as green fluorescence.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The lab uses seawater to wash the aquariums.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
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For example, exercise helps lower triglycerides – a type of fat in your blood that your body uses for energy, but can raise your risk of heart disease when levels are too high.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plays out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plays%20out. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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