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Synonyms

play games

Idioms  

  1. Be evasive or deceptive, as in Don't play games with me—I want an honest answer. Also see play the game.

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.

Encouraging children to play games online at an early age instills in them the need to be online constantly.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Spencer also launched Xbox Game Pass in 2017, a subscription service allowing players to download and play games on their PC and other devices besides an Xbox.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

Milan make the short trip to face high-flying Como on Thursday as the division's leading trio play games in hand accrued by their participation in the Italian Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026

While the Irish football team has maintained its status as an independent, it has had an agreement since 2014 to play games against at least five ACC teams each season.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2025

Though I was curious how long she would take to spot the error, Rosy was not about to play games with me.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.