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Definitions

play games

VERB
contrive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
concoct devise manipulate
STRONG
achieve angle arrange cogitate collude compass connive develop effect elaborate engineer execute finagle hatch intrigue jockey machinate manage maneuver mastermind negotiate pass plan plot project scheme shift swing wrangle
WEAK
carry out hit upon work out
Antonyms
STRONG
fail forget ignore leave alone lose miss neglect remain
WEAK
demolish destroy disorganize ruin stop waste wreck
VERB
engineer
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arrange come up with conceive concoct create direct manage manipulate negotiate organize set up supervise
STRONG
angle cause con contrive control cook doctor effect encompass finagle jockey machinate maneuver operate originate plan plant plot rig scam scheme superintend swing upstage wangle work
WEAK
pull strings pull wires put one on put one over put over put through
Antonyms
STRONGEST
destroy disarrange disorder disorganize mismanage
STRONG
forget ignore leave alone neglect
VERB
finesse
Synonyms
STRONG
angle bluff exploit jockey play rig wangle
WEAK
beguile finagle operate pull strings pull wires
Antonyms
WEAK
bobble mishandle
VERB
machinate
Synonyms
STRONG
cogitate collude connive conspire contrive design devise engineer finagle hatch intrigue invent plan promote scheme wangle
WEAK
come up with pull strings trump up
Antonyms
STRONG
disorganize forget ignore neglect
WEAK
leave alone
VERB
manage
Synonyms
STRONGEST
achieve carry out deal with work
STRONG
arrange con contrive cook doctor effect engineer execute finagle fix jockey plant rig scam succeed swing upstage wangle
WEAK
bring about bring off cope with pull strings push around put one over
Antonyms
STRONG
destroy disarrange disorder disorganize disturb fail forget ignore neglect unsettle
WEAK
bumble mismanage
VERB
maneuver
Synonyms
STRONGEST
exploit jockey manipulate navigate operate
STRONG
angle beguile cheat con conspire contrive cook design devise doctor engineer fence finagle finesse intrigue machinate manage move play plot proceed rig scam sham shift trick upstage wangle work
WEAK
come up with go around leave holding the bag pull strings push around put one over
Antonyms
STRONG
destroy disorganize forget neglect remain stop
WEAK
leave alone
VERB
manipulate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
exploit handle influence maneuver shape
STRONG
beguile conduct control direct engineer finagle guide jockey machinate massage mold negotiate play steer upstage use
WEAK
finesse pull strings pull wires push around
Antonyms
STRONGEST
neglect
STRONG
abandon leave leave alone misguide mislead
VERB
one-up
Synonyms
WEAK
angle beguile bluff exploit finagle finesse jockey maneuver manipulate operate play pull strings pull wires rig wangle
VERB
toy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fiddle flirt fool tease
STRONG
coquet cosset dally dandle jest pet play sport trifle wanton
WEAK
amuse oneself fool around lead on mess around play around string along

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When we play games, he observes, we usually care about the “experiences that come from trying hard to win,” but we don’t necessarily care about winning itself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

Their new Dodger ownership group doesn’t play games.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

In 2015, they launched the popular series Run BTS in which they play games and spend time together.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

"If you lead a country like the US or China, it's not easy. You have to play games, make deals."

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

HARRY: Don’t play games, Albus, you know what House you are.

From "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" by J.K. Rowling