Phrase guide

play God

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To act in ways commonly associated with or reserved for God, especially by scientific means, such as exercising omnipotence or excessive control over life and nature.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: derogatory, intransitive, usually

Examples

  • With all due respect, professor, do you really think that playing God and researching human immortality is a wise idea?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: jugar a ser Déu — make life-and-death decisions
  • Italian: giocare a fare Dio — make life-and-death decisions
  • Japanese: 神を演じる (kami wo enjiru) — make life-and-death decisions
  • Portuguese: brincar de ser Deus — make life-and-death decisions
  • Russian: играть в Бога (igratʹ v Boga) — make life-and-death decisions
  • Russian: играть Бога (igratʹ Boga) — make life-and-death decisions
  • Spanish: jugar a ser Dios — make life-and-death decisions