ploy

noun

ˈplȯi 

1

: escapade, frolic

2

a

: a tactic intended to embarrass or frustrate an opponent

b

: a devised or contrived move : stratagem

a ploy to get her to open the door

—Robert B. Parker

Synonyms

• artifice
• device
• dodge
• fetch
• flimflam
• gambit
• gimmick
• jig
• juggle
• knack
• play
• ruse
• scheme
• shenanigan
• sleight
• stratagem
• trick
• wile

Examples of ploy in a Sentence

Her story about being sick is only a ploy to get you to give her money.

asking me to take her shopping turned out to be a ploy to get me to the surprise party

Recent Examples on the Web

Villa partook in multiple swap-like transfers last summer, a ploy undertaken by several Premier League clubs to boost bottom lines. —Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025

The other side: Navarro declared victory Wednesday after Trump paused the tariffs, describing the move as a brilliant pivot in a broader strategic ploy to extract concessions from foreign countries. —Nathan Bomey, Axios, 9 Apr. 2025

Trang and two of her fellow O.G. rangers — Walter Emanuel Jones and Austin St. John — concocted a bold ploy to advocate for a fair wage when the children's action series became a super hit during its first season run in 1993. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Perhaps the graders will be impressed by the brash ploy or get confused and assume the proofs are likely correct. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably from employ

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ploy

• counter-ploy
• marketing ploy

Rhymes for ploy

• boy
• choy
• coy
• croy
• foy
• hoi
• hoy
• joy
• loy
• oy
• soy
• toy

Kids Definition

ploy

noun

ˈplȯi 

: a trick designed to embarrass or upset an opponent