play out

VERB

to bring to an end

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bring to a close bring to an end conclude end finish

VERB

to end up

Synonyms

STRONGEST

become come to be end up eventually be finish as turn out to be

STRONG

develop into evolve grow into

WEAK

wind up

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 most of these, we can see the mother-son dynamic, however frustrating or overbearing or dysfunctional, play out.

From Salon • Jun. 4, 2026

"What do you mean? You can see it play out on YouTube," replied McCullagh.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

The issue is that the industry is still in the “early days” of seeing this trend play out, she noted.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

How insolvency would play out for the world’s leading international forum is unclear.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026

“Here’s how it’ll play out, Tommy,” Newt said.

From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner