Definitions

play the game

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accept v.
accommodate v.
adapt v.
comply v.
conform v.
pander v.
play ball v.
take it v.
yield v.

VERB

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acknowledge agree recognize respect take tolerate

STRONG

acquiesce assent bear bow capitulate endure stand stomach suffer swallow

WEAK

bear with defer to don't make waves don't rock the boat fit in go along with live with sit still for stand for submit to yield to

Antonyms

STRONGEST

contradict disallow disapprove misunderstand refuse stop

STRONG

defend disagree dissent fight reject

WEAK

blackball decline demur deny discard dispute renounce repudiate

VERB

accommodate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

adapt adjust fit integrate modify

STRONG

accord accustom agree attune comply compose conform coordinate correspond harmonize proportion reconcile settle suit tailor tailor-make tune

WEAK

bend over backwards don't make waves don't rock the boat go by the book go with the flow make consistent shape up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disarrange disorder unfit

STRONG

decline deny differ disagree fight mismatch oppose refuse reject upset

WEAK

bar block frustrate hinder impede limit obstruct prevent stop turn away turn out unsuit

VERB

adapt

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acclimate accommodate accustom alter comply conform fit modify prepare readjust revise shape suit tailor

STRONG

change familiarize fashion habituate harmonize make match qualify reconcile remodel square

WEAK

come around get act together get used to grow used to roll with punches shape up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

neglect refuse reject

STRONG

disagree

WEAK

disarrange dislocate disorder disturb unfit

VERB

comply

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acquiesce adhere to give in give up obey observe quit satisfy submit

STRONG

accede accord defer discharge ditto fold fulfill keep mind perform respect yield

WEAK

agree to cave in come around conform to consent to cry uncle don't make waves don't rock the boat fit in give out go along with go with the flow knuckle to knuckle under play ball put out roll over and play dead shape up stay in line straighten up throw in towel toss it in yes one

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disobey dissuade

STRONG

condemn deny disallow disapprove fail ignore neglect oppose prevent refuse withhold

WEAK

decline rebuff reject resist

VERB

conform

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accommodate attune comply coordinate fit harmonize integrate reconcile tailor yield

STRONG

follow keep mind obey observe proportion square suit tailor-make tune

WEAK

be guided by clean up act don't make waves don't rock the boat fall in with follow beaten path follow the crowd go by the book go with the flow make room meet halfway move over quadrate reconciliate roll with punches run with the pack shape up straighten up toe the line

Antonyms

STRONGEST

deny disagree oppose prevent refuse reject

STRONG

disobey disregard forget ignore neglect

WEAK

differ fight mismatch not correspond

VERB

pander

Synonyms

STRONG

cajole gratify massage please satisfy snow soap stroke

WEAK

brown-nose fall all over lay it on play up to politic soften up suck up to

Antonyms

STRONG

anger annoy disappoint disturb frustrate upset

WEAK

deny dissatisfy refuse

VERB

play ball

Synonyms

WEAK

agree be in cahoots collaborate comply with conspire go along with join forces join in participate pull together stick together work together

VERB

take it

Synonyms

WEAK

acknowledge agree bear with bite the bullet capitulate don't make waves don't rock the boat face the music go along with grin and bear it hang tough live with put up with sit still for stand for stick it out stomach submit to suffer swallow take take one's lumps take one's medicine tolerate

VERB

yield

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accept agree bow concede fail surrender

STRONG

accede acknowledge acquiesce admit assent break comply concur consent defer permit waive

WEAK

fit in go along with go with the flow toe the line toe the mark

Antonyms

STRONGEST

contradict decline disagree dispute dissent fight refuse reject repudiate win

STRONG

deny differ disallow disapprove object oppose protest

WEAK

counter prevent veto withhold

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.

See Examples For:

play the game

"I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to play the game I love professionally and get to do it at the highest level."

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

“Honestly, being able to play the game is amazing.’

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

"You have to know how to play the game and I was just too naive," she added.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

That experiment allowed producers to learn quickly how future cast members might play the game.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026

Fortunately, he gave up and decided to just play the game.

From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan

play the game

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Related Words