ploy

noun

ˈplȯi How to pronounce ploy (audio)
Definition of ploynext
1
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end asking me to take her shopping turned out to be a ploy to get me to the surprise party

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in spree
a time or instance of carefree fun wanted one grand ploy through Europe before settling down and raising a family

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ploy Some analysts have characterized Trump's proposal for Gaza as a negotiating ploy. — Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 11 Feb. 2025 There seems to be an active ploy to hit the left wing. — Mark Carey, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025 Meanwhile, President Ross is also taking pills for a mysterious condition: a ploy to inundate him with gamma radiation and transform him into the Red Hulk. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 21 Feb. 2025 There were moments during the game where Guardiola’s tactical ploy worked perfectly, but City were slow to recognise their numerical advantages and punish Madrid in the way Barcelona have done in two separate encounters this season. — Sam Lee, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ploy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ploy
  1. ruse
  2. spree
  3. scheme
  4. trick
Noun
  • Shane Millan admitted to forcing several women to expose their chest with the ruse of checking for tattoos A U.S. Border Patrol agent has admitted to forcing several migrant women to expose their breasts while processing their paperwork during their entry into the country in 2023.
    — Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The idea of doctors posing as podcasters to make men more suggestible is already a winner, but the language the doctors employ to complete the ruse ratchets up the comedy.
    — Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 26 Jan. 2025
Definition of ruse
Noun
  • Bill Belichick ran things in his unique fashion, and as a result, the franchise had little use for the ballooning contracts and oversized bonuses that are customary in NFL free agency but tend to age poorly (the spending spree of 2021 notwithstanding).
    — Chad Graff, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
  • While House Bill 1072 has been in the works since before the stabbing attacks on the 16th Street Mall that left one person dead, its sponsors say the spree gives it an extra emphasis.
    — Nick Coltrain, The Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of spree
Noun
  • The military declares martial law in the town as Daniels and his fellow scientists race to develop a cure, even as the nefarious McClintock schemes to bomb Cedar Creek to smithereens to contain the virus.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The White Van is a kinetic heist thriller following a troubled young woman who is lured into a criminal scheme that leaves her wanted for bank robbery and hunted by a corrupt cop who doesn’t want justice – but wants the money for himself.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of scheme
Noun
  • This chip also drives many of the phone's artificial intelligence features, and allows the Pixel 9a to take advantage of all the same AI camera tricks introduced on the Pixel 9 smartphones in 2024.
    — Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 19 Mar. 2025
  • This cat's trick shouldn't be too much of a surprise as many videos of felines opening doors have flooded social media in recent years.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of trick

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Cite this Entry

“Ploy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ploy. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of ploy for Spanish Speakers

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