players

noun

plural of player
1
as in instrumentalists
a person who plays a musical instrument a horn player

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in actors
one who acts professionally (as in a play, movie, or television show) a troupe of players used to give performances on the town green

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in participants
one who takes part in something a significant player in the negotiations

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 players Dilraba Dilmurat plays the team’s star striker, while Lay Zhang serves as its kung fu mentor, helping the players combine martial arts mastery with soccer skills to overcome formidable opponents and setbacks on and off the field. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026 For example, ice hockey players Ryan Price and Eric Bennett from Reid’s novels were originally going to appear; the former ended up being mentioned in passing, and the latter was cut. — Emily Maskell, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026 That's why Cramer's Charitable Trust, the portfolio run by the CNBC Investing Club, instead owns shares of AI infrastructure players such as gas turbine maker GE Vernova and electrical equipment supplier Eaton. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026 So, the Hawks rolled with mostly their rookies, young pieces, two-way and training-camp players. — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 13 Oct. 2026 For the second time in nine months, players who took the Saudi riches of LIV Golf are facing a tight deadline on their future. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026 Some players started taking advantage and would assume the gimmee. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 Getting a word with a small number of guesses is a source of pride for players. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026 The usual players at Nobu Hotels are involved here, namely Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and actor Robert De Niro. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for players
  1. instrumentalists
  2. actors
  3. participants
  4. musicians
  5. performers
  6. participators
  7. artists
  8. actresses
Noun
  • Love, at 85 years old, is the sole member of the original Beach Boys lineup who still tours under that name, performing all their classic, SPF-friendly hits with younger instrumentalists.
    — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Even Rodrigo’s backing band, full of absolutely shredding women instrumentalists, played beside her on equal footing for exquisitely tasteful, post-punky revisions of songs across her three albums.
    — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of instrumentalists
Noun
  • Rather than using background actors, the film features real Puerto Rican residents, including a local activist and singer.
    — Johanna Ferreira, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Buckley’s co-star, Lyndsy Fonseca, and producer Andrew Gernhard also noted that the crew takes care of the actors.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of actors
Noun
  • Yet, as in many speculative markets, sophisticated participants often have access to better information, stronger analytical tools and more advanced risk-management techniques than retail participants, giving them an informational edge.
    — Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Emerge works with employers to place graduates in jobs, while SETA can help participants pay for rent, food and utilities when financial difficulties threaten their ability to finish training.
    — Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of participants
Noun
  • The rapper blazed through an eight-song set in 18 minutes, taking only brief pauses to shout out her backing musicians and, at one point, remark on the lack of Maryland crab cakes in her rider.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Football too is a collective effort, where no player achieves greatness alone; musicians are supported by an entire ecosystem of peers, producers, engineers and creative talent.
    — Rachel Ingram, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of musicians
Noun
  • Alaska, Hawaiian are consistent performers The AQR also singled out Alaska Airlines as the steadiest performer in the industry.
    — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Definition of performers
Noun
  • And in doing so, Gunther often lulls crowds into becoming sporting event spectators rather than the raucous participators that most other wrestlers try to draw out of them.
    — Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
Definition of participators
Noun
  • Performers weren’t spared either, with several forced to perform in the rain without covering for both artists and their equipment.
    — Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The show sought to expand norms of representation—a project whose sincerity all but courts the cringeworthy—with artists hell-bent on deconstructing the drive for beauty, including Orlan, Sara Cwynar, Juno Calypso, and Haley Morris-Cafiero.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of artists
Noun
  • Famous actors, actresses and recording artists have been known to appear at games in the past, including Valkyries fans George Lucas, Ali Wong, Kehlani, E-40 and others; Dream fans Queen Latifah, Future, Jayda Cheaves and others.
    — Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Having dressed numerous actresses throughout her career, Chiuri sees a shift in red carpet culture toward individualized creations and, more recently, greater restraint.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of actresses

Browse Nearby Words

player
players
playfellow
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Cite this Entry

“Players.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/players. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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