played

past tense of play
1
2
3
as in mocked
to pretend to be (what one is not) in appearance or behavior stop playing the innocent, because I know that you were behind that prank

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
5
6
as in put
to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event figuring that she had little to lose, she played her last few bucks on the state lottery

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 With Rose unavailable, sophomore quarterback Gabriel Webster played in district games against Azle, Denton and Sherman. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026 Armstrong led the Chiefs in receiving yards in the preseason, so he’s played against NFL competition. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026 How do two middle-class lads in ratty threads, who might very well have both been played by Robert Pattinson, fast-track an appointment with Jesus? — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026 The crowd chanted France's national anthem and waved flags, and some people played trumpets and violins. — Sylvie Corbet, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026 Dragoi says in the here and now, the team’s results underscore the important role played by sleep, especially for trainees or those learning new skills. — Sean McCabe, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026 The Jets haven’t beaten the Dolphins in Miami since 2014, Rex Ryan’s final game as coach (the Jets played the Dolphins in London and at MetLife Stadium in 2015). — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026 Boise State football may not have played this weekend, but the Broncos have moved up a couple of spots in the Associated Press Top 25 football poll. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 18 Oct. 2026 Raiola, who played two seasons for Nebraska before coming to Oregon in the offseason, came into the game in the fourth quarter with the Huskers up 14-6. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for played
Verb
  • One example was Portland’s Pittock Mansion, recreated for a rooftop escape involving protagonist Prue McKeel.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Barkley also later recreated the leap for the cover of Madden NFL 2026 – without Jones.
    — Mark Long, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The new version of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been cut from a five-hour show performed across two parts to a single three-hour performance as it is performed on Broadway.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Drexler’s comedic sensibility was shaped, early on, by the vaudeville acts that performed in movie theatres in between screenings.
    — Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The stance has seen Newsom, who warns the passage of Prop 40 could see an exodus of the super rich from California, mocked and dismissed by fellow Democrats.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed mocked Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy on Saturday, commenting on Portnoy's body and athleticism.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • During virtual meetings, Brower and Simone, who are in their mid-30s, appeared on screen while Primrose lounged on their shoulders or heads.
    — KYLE MELNICK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
  • In another photo, the 21-year-old model lounged on the floor with her head propped on one hand while wearing a pair of pastel blue heels and a cream cardigan.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Western Commissioner Rick Lett said the event permit application has been handled with guidance from the county's legal adviser, and that if the H Highway bridge had been out, the county likely would have denied the application.
    — Glory Reitz, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The late Margot Bettauer Dembo handled NYRB’s previous Seghers translations; Lucy Jones has taken over, and excellently conveys the incisive bite of the writing.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The blaze sparked evacuation orders for the Encinal Canyon area near Trancas Canyon and put a larger swath of Malibu under an evacuation warning.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The Rays need a win here to tie up the series, and the Guardians want a win to put Tampa Bay’s back against the wall.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • But that kept him entertained, as did his gaming console, which came in handy last year in Rome, when my husband and I slipped out to Piazza del Popolo for a glass of wine.
    — Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
  • His administration also has long entertained ways to unwind certain sanctions on Russia in a bid to secure a peace deal with Ukraine — one that would also help ease inflation.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • This opinion has now shifted to Sam Mendes’s quartet of Beatles biopics, in which McCartney is being portrayed by Paul Mescal.
    — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026
  • In England, poet William Cowper portrayed Mai as an innocent corrupted by European society.
    — Saar Shahar, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Played.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/played. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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