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Definitions

play on

VERB
exploit
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abuse apply capitalize on employ handle manipulate mine profit from use utilize
STRONG
bleed exercise finesse fleece jockey maneuver milk play skin soak stick work
WEAK
avail oneself of cash in on get mileage out of impose upon make capital of make use of profit by put to use
Antonyms
STRONGEST
leave alone misuse
VERB
move
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bring carry convert drive lead operate propel push shift start turn
STRONG
activate actuate advocate affect agitate budge cause excite impel impress incite induce inspire inspirit instigate introduce persuade prompt propose quicken recommend rouse shove stimulate stir strike submit suggest sway touch urge
WEAK
bring up draw up get going give rise to prevail upon put forward tug at work on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
discourage dissuade hold keep lose remain repress stop
STRONG
calm delay dull halt hinder leave alone lull oppose prevent quiet slow suppress tranquilize
WEAK
dishearten fix pause stay
VERB
manipulate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
exploit handle influence maneuver shape
STRONG
beguile conduct control direct engineer finagle guide jockey machinate massage mold negotiate play steer upstage use
WEAK
finesse play games pull strings pull wires push around
Antonyms
STRONGEST
neglect
STRONG
abandon leave leave alone misguide mislead
VERB
use
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adopt apply employ handle manage operate practice run spend utilize wield work
STRONG
capitalize capitalize on consume deplete exercise exert exhaust expend occupy ply squander take waste
WEAK
avail oneself of bring into play bring to bear draw on find a use make do with make the most of make use press into service put forth put into action put to use put to work run through turn to account
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cease halt leave alone let go mismanage misuse neglect reject renounce repudiate stop
STRONG
save
WEAK
abstain

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.

As the leader in animal health, Zoetis once was viewed as a can’t-miss play on Americans’ infatuation with pets.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

In addition to the Friday night game against the Seahawks on Christmas, they play on “Sunday Night Football” against the Denver Broncos and “Monday Night Football” against the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

San Diego is less than an hour south; there you can play on the popular Mission Bay Golf Course, an 18-hole short course where Tiger Woods won a junior world championship.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

The name, a play on the prefix in the region and Trump’s names, started as a joke.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026

It was a few seconds before Harry remembered that the match hadn’t taken place yet, that he was safe in bed, and that the Slytherin team definitely wouldn’t be allowed to play on dragons.

From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling

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