play up

verb

played up; playing up; plays up
Synonyms of play upnext

transitive verb

: emphasize
In the interview, try to play up your strengths.
also : exaggerate, overemphasize
It was only a small achievement but the CEO really played it up.

Synonyms of play up

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Examples of play up in a Sentence

that TV news program plays up sensational stories just to get higher ratings
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Forty-three football-playing schools are playing up in class this season. — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Cabrera possesses the type of stuff that would likely play up out of the bullpen. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026 Weathers, meanwhile, worked in relief earlier in his career, and there’s a case to be made that his stuff could play up even more in short bursts. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026 In advertisements, Tiffany plays up his roots on a Wisconsin dairy farm and love of the Green Bay Packers and a brandy old fashioned. — Clay Masters, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for play up

Word History

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of play up was in 1814

Rhymes for play up

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Browse Nearby Words

play truant
play up
play upon
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Play up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20up. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

play up

verb
: emphasize

More from Merriam-Webster on play up

Nglish: Translation of play up for Spanish Speakers

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