play fair

VERB

behave

Synonyms

STRONGEST

manage

STRONG

control direct

WEAK

act correctly act one's age act with decorum be civil be good be nice be on best behavior be orderly comport oneself conduct oneself properly demean oneself deport oneself discipline oneself keep one's nose clean keep the peace live up to manage oneself mind one's manners mind one's p's and q's observe golden rule observe the law shape up toe the mark watch one's step

Antonyms

WEAK

act up misbehave

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.

In America, there’s a sense that too much success in business is a bad thing, and that everyone needs to play fair.

From Barron's • May 2, 2026

Do McLaren have to face the truth of F1 now - that if you want to win, you can't always play fair?

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2025

“Things like that just don’t play fair in our mind.”

From Seattle Times • Oct. 4, 2023

The Justice Department serves them all, and its credibility rests on being perceived to play fair.

From Washington Post • Jan. 13, 2023

They shook hands and promised to play fair.

From "The Missing Mitt (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #2)" by Franklin W. Dixon