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Definitions

play off

[pley-awf, -of] / ˈpleɪˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

VERB

counter

Synonyms

STRONGEST

counteract foil offset oppose resist respond retaliate ward off

STRONG

backtalk beat bilk buck circumvent contravene cross dash disappoint frustrate hinder match meet parry pit return ruin vie

WEAK

counterwork fly in the face of have bone to pick hit back take on thumbs-down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist help support

STRONG

agree allow divide encourage facilitate permit separate

VERB

thwart

Synonyms

STRONGEST

circumvent counter curb defeat foil frustrate hinder impede obstruct oppose prevent stop stymie

STRONG

baffle balk beat bilk check confuse cramp cross dash disappoint ditch dodge duck outwit pit restrain ruin trammel upset

WEAK

dead-end foul up give the slip hold up take down take the wind out of (one's) sails upset the apple cart

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abet aid allow assist encourage facilitate help support

STRONG

clear up free hasten let go multiply

WEAK

forward

VERB

vie

Synonyms

STRONGEST

contend strive

STRONG

buck challenge contest counter match oppose pit play push rival struggle sweat

WEAK

be rivals go for go for broke go for the gold go for the jugular jockey for position scramble for

Antonyms

STRONG

agree aid assist help support

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.

The portraits play off the novel’s milieu: a series of churches, as well as the medieval French castle that is home to an eccentric and mostly absent prince.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Drugmaker Novo Nordisk is running ads that play off Apple’s humorous early-aughts “Get a Mac” campaign to try to distinguish Ozempic from other GLP-1 drugs taken for Type 2 diabetes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026

Previously, the winners of the Women's National League North and South had to play off for a place in the second division; now both champions go up.

From BBC • Oct. 31, 2025

So is the post the result of an overly online social media manager trying to play off dumb memes?

From Slate • Aug. 14, 2025

He’d play off of their riffs and not on top of them, unless they played a tidal wave of chords where everyone jammed together.

From "Clayton Byrd Goes Underground" by Rita Williams-Garcia

play off

Example Sentences

Related Words