play on heartstrings

VERB

dramatize

Synonyms

STRONGEST

amplify exaggerate overstate

STRONG

act burlesque enact execute overdo perform playact present produce show splash stage

WEAK

farcialize give color to ham it up lay it on make a production of melodramatize play to gallery play up tragedize

Antonyms

STRONGEST

reduce

STRONG

abandon fail halt ignore neglect prevent refrain refuse stop veto

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.

play on heartstrings

Yet modern campaigners for comprehensive immigration reform tend to play on heartstrings.

From Economist ● Nov. 7, 2013