play favorites

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.

Calvacca doesn’t play favorites, she says, but she snuggles Valentina and calls Sonny Mister Handsome.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 31, 2026

They say parents shouldn’t play favorites, but the Eurasian hoopoe—a bird known for its showy orange crest and whooping cry—clearly never got the memo.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 21, 2024

I don’t mean to play favorites, but the Milky White who jauntily dances in the Opera House is one I’m especially happy to steer you to.

From Washington Post • Feb. 26, 2023

“I’ve got a job to do and you can’t play favorites, and you can’t sugarcoat it,” he said.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 16, 2021

So Luma tried to make sure she didn’t speak Arabic, even when it was easier, and she taught herself not to play favorites.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John