The phrase "played a role" can be substituted with various synonyms, depending on the context. For instance, it can be replaced with "participated in," "contributed to," "acted as," "performed," "was instrumental in," "had a hand in," "was involved in," and "was a factor in." Each of these phrases carries a slightly different connotation and emphasizes a distinct aspect of the subject's involvement in a particular situation. Therefore, it is essential to choose the synonym that best conveys the intended meaning and tone of the message.