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play dead

VERB

surrender

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abandon capitulate cede commit concede give in hand over leave quit relinquish renounce submit succumb waive yield

STRONG

consign entrust fall fold knuckle

WEAK

buckle under cave in cry uncle deliver up eat crow eat humble pie go along with go down go under knuckle under let go pack it in part with put up white flag roll over throw in the towel toss it in

Antonyms

STRONGEST

come continue defend fight hold keep refuse reject retain win

WEAK

conquer surpass

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.

For years, wildlife experts advised people attacked by black bears to fight back, while recommending that anyone confronted by a much larger grizzly lie still and play dead.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

Mr Godino tells me they play dead when they feel under threat.

From BBC • Nov. 9, 2025

The advice is different with a smaller black bear: Don’t play dead.

From National Geographic • Aug. 17, 2023

Far more effective are the re-creations of Sammy’s earliest cinematic efforts, when he learns the rudiments of staging, filming and editing, and gains confidence ordering his Boy Scout troop to play dead.

From Washington Post • Nov. 21, 2022

You can pick it up on a stick, and it’ll still play dead.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

play dead

Example Sentences

Related Words