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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ploy
The ploy broke a decades-long taboo in German politics.
—
Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
And Gabriel Macht and Rick Hoffman on Suits LA is more of a curiosity ploy than a long-term maneuver.
—Marc Berman, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
There seems to be an active ploy to hit the left wing.
—Mark Carey, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Outscoring the opposition appears to be the chief ploy from here on in, with defensive injuries and (dis)organisation unlikely to be fixed short term.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
And Gabriel Macht and Rick Hoffman on Suits LA is more of a curiosity ploy than a long-term maneuver.
—Marc Berman, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
There seems to be an active ploy to hit the left wing.
—Mark Carey, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Outscoring the opposition appears to be the chief ploy from here on in, with defensive injuries and (dis)organisation unlikely to be fixed short term.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ploy
Noun
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Richie buys Harry's ruse regarding Tommy's murder, but there's a catch.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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The wedding started as an elaborate three-way ruse concocted by Wai-Tung, a gay Taiwanese American man; his white boyfriend, Simon (Mitchell Lichtenstein); and Wei-Wei, an undocumented Chinese immigrant.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In addition to Sacramento, the group robbed banks and credit unions in Vallejo, Suisun City, Benicia, Concord and Antioch in a spree that began in June of 2023 and continued through September 2024, the agreement shows.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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Simone Biles Knows Something About Victory Biles is coming off a record-setting spree in 2024 after winning four Olympic medals at the Paris Games, bringing her total medal count to 11 with seven gold, two silver and two bronze.—
Kasey Nelson,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Nearly 30 years ago California legislators faced a test of their integrity in voting for an electricity deregulation scheme that ratepayers are still paying for.—
Jamie Court,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
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Minnesota Vikings Needs: RB, D-line, CB, S Ole Miss CB Trey Amos: Amos has good instincts around the ball and the press coverage skills needed to fit Brian Flores’ defensive scheme, which places cornerbacks on an island most of the time. 25.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Special content, tips, and tricks: Free digital access to the vast recipe archives of Bon Appétit and Epicurious, plus an in-depth video filmed in the test kitchen of one recipe from each box.—
The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Apr. 2025
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Other styling tricks included whimsical touches on simplified outfits such as oversized scarves, bag charms, layered belts, fur accessories and extravagant strands of pearls.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ploy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ploy. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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