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
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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
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Recent Examples of ploy
From David Makovsky: Trump's Gaza Plan Is a Clever Negotiation Tactic
The question is whether Trump's idea about Gaza is a plan or a ploy.
—
Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
In the longer term, Trump’s ploy to improve the federal workforce could adversely affect productivity if workers who are least qualified to find alternative employment are most likely to stay behind in search of employment stability.
—Christopher Wong Michaelson and Jennifer Tosti-Kharas, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025
In recent years, however, with the cost of a national Big Game campaign rising significantly, some of Madison Avenue’s top denizens have tested the ploy.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Jan. 2025
The viral claim about Trader Joe's offering $750 gift cards has become the latest ploy targeting unsuspecting consumers.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
In the longer term, Trump’s ploy to improve the federal workforce could adversely affect productivity if workers who are least qualified to find alternative employment are most likely to stay behind in search of employment stability.
—Christopher Wong Michaelson and Jennifer Tosti-Kharas, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025
In recent years, however, with the cost of a national Big Game campaign rising significantly, some of Madison Avenue’s top denizens have tested the ploy.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Jan. 2025
The viral claim about Trader Joe's offering $750 gift cards has become the latest ploy targeting unsuspecting consumers.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ploy
Noun
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Is this to maintain the ruse of amateurism to go along with the players’ professed allegiance to and love of this particular university, however temporary?—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Through a clever ruse, the trio manages to escape, but Léo is shot and starts going into labor.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The early years of the pandemic saw a massive hiring spree in tech, fueled in part by shifting consumer spending habits amid lockdowns.—
Bailey Schulz,
USA TODAY,
15 Feb. 2025
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Los Angeles then doubled down with another spending spree, adding, retaining or extending pricey players like Blake Snell, Tanner Scott, Blake Treinen, Kirby Yates, Michael Conforto, Tommy Edman, Teoscar Hernández and Clayton Kershaw, among others.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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When Tony White left after the regular season for Florida State, Nebraska lost a defensive tactician and a coordinator who brought an effective scheme to the Blackshirts.—
Mitch Sherman,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
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What’s needed now are more flexible funding schemes and opportunities that will allow Latvian productions to be competitive on the global market.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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And our favorite trick is shopping the Better Homes & Gardens Juliet bedroom furniture line at Walmart.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Feb. 2025
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The trick is finding the place that aligns with your style.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ploy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ploy. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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