play-by-play

Definition of play-by-playnext
as in commentary
a series of explanations or observations on something (as an event) on Monday mornings she usually gives her coworkers a detailed play-by-play on how her weekend date went

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for play-by-play
Noun
  • Agents now match reconciliations, draft journal entries, suggest accrual estimates and write the variance commentary that goes to the audit committee.
    — Jacqueline DeStefano-Tangorra, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • All four movies exhibit Mackenzie’s knack for trenchant social and political commentary slightly heightened by his elegance as a dramatist and visceral genre filmmaker, and all are accompanied by illuminating supplements.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Catch up on breaking news, exclusive interviews, political analysis, original reporting, and standout moments — all in one place, every week.
    — Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026
  • In an analysis of data from 130 studies involving more than 275,000 people around the globe, most character strengths were associated with greater mental health.
    — Joan M. Cook, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Play-by-play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play-by-play. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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