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
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Recent Examples of ploy
That could be a negotiating ploy, but nonetheless one that could be costly for U.S. companies making goods overseas — not to mention for consumers who buy everything from luxury products made in Europe to electronics made in China.
—
Evan Clark, WWD, 6 Jan. 2025
Considering all three goals Arsenal scored against Brentford last season were headers, that could have been a deliberate ploy.
—Art De Roché, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
These holiday season strikes are an old public relations ploy by unions, who are good at creating a narrative and selling it to reporters.
—Sean Higgins, National Review, 1 Jan. 2025
In reality, the plan was just a ploy designed to attract subscribers and investors.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ploy 
Evan Clark, WWD, 6 Jan. 2025
Considering all three goals Arsenal scored against Brentford last season were headers, that could have been a deliberate ploy.
—Art De Roché, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
These holiday season strikes are an old public relations ploy by unions, who are good at creating a narrative and selling it to reporters.
—Sean Higgins, National Review, 1 Jan. 2025
In reality, the plan was just a ploy designed to attract subscribers and investors.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ploy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ploy
Noun
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Just a few weeks ago former contestant Rhea Mathew returned to the stage under the ruse of helping celebrate the show's 50th anniversary, only to be surprised by her boyfriend with a proposal.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
24 Jan. 2025
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Litton, using the name Michael Sanders, had scheduled an appointment with Feather River Adventist School principal under the ruse of enrolling his nonexistent grandson.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacramento Bee,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The Los Angeles Dodgers' offseason spending spree might not be over, but their future salary commitments have risen to nearly half a billion dollars already.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
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In their first two playoff games, the Bills combined their outstanding running game and a shutdown defensive effort to defeat the Broncos, and a takeaway spree to get the job done against the Ravens.—
Joe Buscaglia,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Taking control of the Panama Canal was the most popular of Trump’s schemes to expand the U.S., with 46% in favor and 47% in opposition.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
24 Jan. 2025
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Seattle seemingly swapped Taylor for Gipson thinking the latter could be more productive in Macdonald’s scheme, but that never came to fruition.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Magness recommended a trick backed by psychology: Use second- and third-person pronouns when talking to yourself, instead of first-person pronouns.—
Ashton Jackson,
CNBC,
17 Jan. 2025
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When working with one or a few rats, snacks like nuts, seeds, and fruit often do the trick.—
Laura Bradley,
Vulture,
17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near ploy
Cite this Entry
“Ploy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ploy. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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