Definitions

play on

VERB

exploit

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abuse apply capitalize on employ handle manipulate mine profit from use utilize

STRONG

bleed exercise finesse fleece jockey maneuver milk play skin soak stick work

WEAK

avail oneself of cash in on get mileage out of impose upon make capital of make use of profit by put to use

Antonyms

STRONGEST

leave alone misuse

VERB

move

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bring carry convert drive lead operate propel push shift start turn

STRONG

activate actuate advocate affect agitate budge cause excite impel impress incite induce inspire inspirit instigate introduce persuade prompt propose quicken recommend rouse shove stimulate stir strike submit suggest sway touch urge

WEAK

bring up draw up get going give rise to prevail upon put forward tug at work on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

discourage dissuade hold keep lose remain repress stop

STRONG

calm delay dull halt hinder leave alone lull oppose prevent quiet slow suppress tranquilize

WEAK

dishearten fix pause stay

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 play games pull strings pull wires push around

Antonyms

STRONGEST

neglect

STRONG

abandon leave leave alone misguide mislead

VERB

use

Synonyms

STRONGEST

adopt apply employ handle manage operate practice run spend utilize wield work

STRONG

capitalize capitalize on consume deplete exercise exert exhaust expend occupy ply squander take waste

WEAK

avail oneself of bring into play bring to bear draw on find a use make do with make the most of make use press into service put forth put into action put to use put to work run through turn to account

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cease halt leave alone let go mismanage misuse neglect reject renounce repudiate stop

STRONG

save

WEAK

abstain

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.

“It was a waste of space. Our kids were getting older and didn’t play on the lawn. There was just no reason to keep a big green lawn.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

EchoStar itself is also a play on SpaceX, thanks to a spectrum deal set to give the firm a nearly 3% stake in the soon-to-be-public company.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

So crank up the Victrola, press play on Spotify and nestle into your headphones.

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2026

For investors wanting yield and an equity play on Alphabet, the mandatory converts offer a way to get that exposure.

From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026

He knew a heart attack would get my attention, play on my heart strings.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

play on

Example Sentences

Related Words