decoy

1 of 2

noun

1
hunting : a pond into which wildfowl are lured for capture
2
: someone or something used to lure or lead another into a trap
the commander of that sub … took us to be a decoyH. A. Chippendale
especially, hunting : an artificial bird used to attract live birds within shot
3
: someone or something used to draw attention away from another
had a decoy distract the guard

decoy

2 of 2

verb

decoyed; decoying; decoys

transitive verb

hunting
: to lure by or as if by a decoy : entice
decoying ducks to a pond
The undercover cop decoyed the fugitive into a trap.
Choose the Right Synonym for decoy

lure, entice, inveigle, decoy, tempt, seduce mean to lead astray from one's true course.

lure implies a drawing into danger, evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving.

lured naive investors with get-rich-quick schemes

entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means.

advertising designed to entice new customers

inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering.

fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice.

attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

tempt implies the presenting of an attraction so strong that it overcomes the restraints of conscience or better judgment.

tempted by the offer of money

seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises.

seduced by assurances of assistance

Examples of decoy in a Sentence

Noun He had a decoy distract the guard while he jumped over the fence. we set the decoy afloat in the marsh and from the blind waited for the ducks to arrive Verb tacky souvenir shops to which first-time tourists had been decoyed into spending their hard-earned money
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Russia on Sunday fired a total of 273 exploding drones and decoys targeting Ukraine's Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions, according to Ukraine’s air force. Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2025 The small organization of women acts as young decoys to lure in Internet pedophiles in sting operations, and then work with local law enforcement and vice squads to arrange in-person meetings with those looking to abuse children, and get those perpetrators arrested. Gillian Telling, People.com, 7 May 2025
Verb
Russia launched 108 Shahed and decoy drones at Ukraine overnight, the Ukrainian air force said. Yehor Konovalov, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025 For example, the boss tom with a bunch of hens will be hard to decoy in with a single hen. Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decoy

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

probably from Dutch de kooi, literally, the cage

First Known Use

Noun

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1648, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of decoy was in 1630

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Decoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decoy. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

decoy

1 of 2 noun
1
: something intended to lure into a trap
especially : an artificial bird used to attract live birds within shooting range
2
: a person used to lead another into a trap

decoy

2 of 2 verb
di-ˈkȯi,
ˈdē-ˌkȯi
: to attract by or as if by a decoy : entice

More from Merriam-Webster on decoy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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