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Definitions

play for

VERB
bet
Synonyms
STRONGEST
pony up speculate wager
STRONG
ante chance dice game hazard pledge put risk set trust venture
WEAK
buy in on lay down lay odds play against play the ponies put money on tempt fortune toss up
Antonyms
STRONG
displace remove
VERB
venture
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dare operate
STRONG
advance assay attempt bet brave challenge chance defy endanger essay experiment expose feel front gamble grope hazard imperil jeopardize presume risk speculate stake try volunteer wager
WEAK
dare say get down go out on a limb have a fling at lay open make a stab at make bold play the market put in jeopardy put up stick one's neck out take a crack at take a flyer take a plunge try out
Antonyms
STRONG
abstain design disbelieve guard hide neglect plan protect save yield

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.

Go to a course and play for real, or just drop a ball on a spot that looks good in the fairway.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

“I love encountering a play for the first time and not being able to Google-Image-search how other people have solved it,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov is dominating the Candidates tournament, where the winner gets the chance to play for the World Chess Championship.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

"When you are fit and available to play for the national team, you have to play," he added.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

It must have been hard for Annette, but she watched us play for the next two hours without a break.

From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick