1
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 doorRobert B. Parker

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
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.
The Governor’s move, undertaken at Donald Trump’s behest, was a clear ploy to help Republicans preserve their narrow majority in the House by increasing the likelihood of the Party capturing five additional congressional seats in the 2026 midterms. Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2025 Democrat point fingers on DC statehood while others focus on Trump National Democrats took a few swings at Trump's declaration, casting it as a political ploy more than a fight to improve public safety. Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025 The soap maintains the feel of its predecessors, including the dramatic pauses, facial expressions, love triangles, schemes and ploys, with the addition of modern day culture, specifically intended to draw in Gen Zers like myself. Kayla Grant, People.com, 29 July 2025 Always ready, when all else fails, to play the old hits such as the familiar blame-the-media ploy. Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 27 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for ploy

Word History

Etymology

probably from employ

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ploy was in 1697

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ploy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ploy. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

ploy

noun
: a trick designed to embarrass or upset an opponent

More from Merriam-Webster on ploy

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