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Looking for synonyms for "play"? Browse alternatives ranked by relevance — sharper word choices for fiction, poetry, and copywriting.
(v)
(intransitive) To make merry; to have fun; to romp; to behave playfully and uninhibitedly.
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(n)
Amusement, enjoyment or pleasure.
(intransitive) To move about playfully; to frolic.
A prank or practical joke.
(intransitive) To play about roughly, energetically or boisterously.
Something to play with, especially as intended for use by a child.
(uncountable) The quality or act of pretending; acting as if something is true when in fact one knows it is not.
(intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.
To waste time in trivial activities, or in idleness; to trifle.
(transitive) To meet (someone) or find (something), especially unexpectedly.
To make contact (with someone) while in proximity.
A lengthy and extravagant speech or argument usually intended to persuade.
(transitive) To cause harm; to afflict; to inflict; to harm or injure; to let out harm.
Alternative form of play-act. [(intransitive) To perform on stage; to act in a play.]
The quality or fact of being free from rigidity, attachment or restraint; not tight, not firmly attached or taut.
(also 'play upon') To exploit (a double meaning, similarity in sound, etc.) for humorous or creative effect.
(intransitive) To play at courtship; to talk with teasing affection, to insinuate sexual attraction in a playful (especially conversational) way.
(idiomatic) To tend to produce or result in.
To obtain the services of (a person) in exchange for remuneration; to give someone a job.
To move swiftly.
(transitive, ditransitive) To transport toward somebody/somewhere.
(intransitive) To shine tremulously or intermittently; to gleam faintly.
To make a non-linear physical movement.
(uncountable) Theatrical plays in general.
(transitive) To stand or act in the place of; to perform the duties, exercise the rights, or otherwise act on behalf of
(uncountable) Employment.
(reflexive) To enjoy or entertain oneself.
(transitive) To interpret, give an interpretation or rendition of.
A movement of the body, or with an implement, instrument etc., especially one performed with skill or dexterity.
(figurative) The absence of constraints; freedom to act, decide, or speak.
(intransitive) To act out a scenario or fantasy with another person or other people.
(transitive, slang) To cheat; to swindle.
Commonwealth standard spelling of maneuver.
(countable, uncountable) Any activity that uses physical exertion or skills competitively under a set of rules that is not based on aesthetics.
The playing of a game.
(adv)
(pharmacology) twice a day, two times per day
(figurative) Anything that is of little importance or worth.
(countable) An instance of a certain standardized college admissions test in the United States, originally called the American College Test.
function as or act like
(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
(N)
a division of time in a sports or games, in which play occurs.
(adj)
Not real or substantial; having no actual presence in reality; lacking the characteristics of reality.
Any activity, such as play, that amuses, diverts or stimulates.
A playful or competitive activity.
(transitive) To entertain or occupy (someone or something) in a pleasant manner; to stir (someone) with pleasing emotions.
(transitive) to amuse (someone); to engage the attention of agreeably
(uncountable) Entertainment.
(countable, uncountable) Time for play or diversion.
A practical joke or mischievous trick.
A thing or person intended for playing with.
The act of one who toys.
(transitive) To receive pleasure or satisfaction from something.
(countable) An activity that gives pleasure.
(countable) An artful trick; sly artifice; a feat so dexterous that the manner of performance escapes observation.
(transitive) To engross or hold the attention of; to keep busy or occupied.
(uncountable) A state of being pleased or contented; gratification.
The act of making strokes or giving a stroke.
(ambitransitive) To cause to be more lively, or to become more lively.
Associated with others, be a participant or make someone be a participant (in a crime, process, etc.)
(transitive) To make use of, to apply, especially of something non-material; to bring to bear.
(transitive) To use (something) to someone's advantage, such as one's own benefit or a society's benefit.
Which causes fulfilment; emotionally or artistically satisfying.
A feeling of satisfaction obtained from one's aspirations or needs being fulfilled.
An exciting or extraordinary scene, exhibition, performance etc.
a thing or group of things in a disagreeable, disorganised, or dirty state; hence a bad situation
(American football) A brief meeting of all the players from one team that are on the field with the purpose of planning the following play.
(uncountable) The action of competing.
(transitive) To grasp or grip.
(intransitive) To deal effectively with something, especially if difficult.
(transitive) To get into one's hands, possession, or control, with or without force.
Free time, time free from work or duties.
Lacking diligence or care; not earnest or eager.
(transitive) To aim for, go after (a specified objective, situation etc.).
(transitive, ergative) To make full
(intransitive) To become involved in a situation, so as to alter or prevent an action. [with in]
In direct contact with.
Used in a phrasal verb: abide by (“to accept and act in accordance with”).
(transitive) To display, to have somebody see (something).
(slang) Excellent, brilliant, very exciting, top, great.
A tactic, strategy, or scheme.
(transitive, intransitive) To apply a force to (an object) so that it comes toward the person or thing applying the force.
To yield assent; to accord; to acquiesce, agree, consent; to adapt oneself, to conform.
(transitive) To advance; to further; to promote the growth of.
(transitive) To carry out successfully; to accomplish.
(transitive) To satisfy, carry out, bring to completion (an obligation, a requirement, etc.).
(computing) An electronic screen that shows graphics or text.
(transitive or ditransitive) To obtain; to acquire.
A result that one is attempting to achieve.
(transitive) To take upon oneself; to start, to embark on (a specific task etc.).
The effort of performing or doing something.
(transitive) To meet the needs of, to fulfill the wishes or requirements of (someone).
The act of performing; carrying into execution or action; execution; achievement; accomplishment; representation by action.
(transitive) To finish successfully.
(transitive) To continue in (a course or mode of action); to not intermit or fall from; to uphold or maintain.
A competition in the answering of questions.
(transitive) To put (something) down, to rest.
A deed or action, especially when somebody is held responsible for it.
(copulative, rather formal, followed by an adjective or a noun) begin to be; turn into (often with permanent states).