PLAYED UP Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

played up

verb

past tense of play up

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 played up However, Pelosi said the feud was never serious and was often played up by the press. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 11 Aug. 2026 There’s a receptiveness to Helaena that at times can be really funny but also played up the tragedy of her arc this season. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 The biggest obstacle is going to be ocean gusts that in my experience, played up to three clubs. — Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Alex Bregman hasn’t yet played up to his five-year, $175 million contract. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 26 July 2026 There’s none of the sultriness of contrast played up by Gérôme for mystique, and also no timeless air. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 13 July 2026 Dolan in her own statement played up the virtues of a home entertainment release. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 While Robinson's defense played up the fact the ATF was unable to conclusively match the bullet that killed Kirk to the Mauser, analysts couldn't rule it out either. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026 The best scene is likely when the swarm of rats first comes to town, played up for maximum creepiness. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for played up

Verb

At InStyle’s launch event for Alexa Chung’s collection with Madewell in 2011, Markle looked stunning in this black mini-dress and her hair highlighted to a honey blonde color.

— Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 8 Aug. 2026
Champion said the helicopter stunt highlighted another reason why Markham city leaders have been trying to get the park district to open its books and turn the parks back to city control.

— Jermont Terry, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of highlighted

Verb

Despite the attention surrounding her potential 2028 ambitions, Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the 2026 midterm elections rather than her own political future.

— Kiara Moore, The Washington Examiner, 9 Aug. 2026
While LaFleur said Green Bay emphasized turnovers as much as ever in 2025, safety Javon Bullard felt differently.

— Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of emphasized

Verb

One of the weekend’s most talked about sets featured the Lolla debut of SB19, a performance which now stands as the first by a southeast Asian artist in Lollapalooza’s more than two decades as a destination festival in Chicago.

— Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Past seasons of the Netflix series, adapted from Ali Novak’s Wattpad novel, have featured Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Teddy Swims, Gracie Abrams, Perfume Genius, The Cure, Paramore, Maisie Peters, Sam Smith, Jelly Roll and many more.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of featured

Browse Nearby Words

played out

played up

played (upon)

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Played up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played%20up. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of played up

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

salvo

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

'Gaslighting,' 'Woke,' 'Democracy,' and Other Top Lookups

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes