"Playing for" is a phrase commonly used in various contexts, such as sports, music, and acting. It implies participation or involvement in an activity, game, or performance. There are several synonyms that could be used instead of this phrase, depending on the context. For instance, in sports, "competing" or "participating" can replace "playing for". For music, "performing" or "entertaining" can be used instead. In acting, synonyms such as "portraying" or "interpreting" could be used. Overall, depending on the context, there are numerous synonyms that could be employed instead of "playing for" to convey the intended meaning more effectively.