as in exerting
to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively
she plied all of her charm and intelligence to convince everyone to volunteer as tutors
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in weaving
to cause to twine about one another
two single yarns were plied together to get the fabric that smooth, firm feel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of plying
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 May 2026
The kitschy Bubble Room restaurant is serving up its legendary sky-high slices of cake, and Captiva Cruises has a full schedule of sunset, wildlife watching, and sightseeing tours plying the local waterways.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 16 May 2026
From there, the Amerongen sailed east, plying colonial trade routes around Java.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 14 May 2026
No one has been plying his trade on Katella Avenue longer than Terry, and that’s shown through in his leadership by example, his support of his teammates and his production.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
However, in a preliminary list announced by the head coach this week — which previewed the names of players currently plying their trade in the Mexican league — a vacant spot was left among the goalkeepers specifically for players based abroad.
—German Fernández-Moores, Houston Chronicle, 1 May 2026
Although by this point Garrison had already been plying the slammer trade for several years, Alfortish wasn’t shy about offering him tactical advice.
—Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Several acts who have been plying their musical craft since the 1960s and are still performing well over half a century later are visiting Connecticut this week.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
Launch is planned for July 2028, and Dragonfly will cruise for six years, plying the empty vastness between our two worlds.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
This allows local broadcasters and streamers to build their own packages around national stars plying their trade in the Premier League, and for PLP to ensure new content was available at the start of every new season.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 May 2026
The kitschy Bubble Room restaurant is serving up its legendary sky-high slices of cake, and Captiva Cruises has a full schedule of sunset, wildlife watching, and sightseeing tours plying the local waterways.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 16 May 2026
From there, the Amerongen sailed east, plying colonial trade routes around Java.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 14 May 2026
No one has been plying his trade on Katella Avenue longer than Terry, and that’s shown through in his leadership by example, his support of his teammates and his production.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
However, in a preliminary list announced by the head coach this week — which previewed the names of players currently plying their trade in the Mexican league — a vacant spot was left among the goalkeepers specifically for players based abroad.
—German Fernández-Moores, Houston Chronicle, 1 May 2026
Although by this point Garrison had already been plying the slammer trade for several years, Alfortish wasn’t shy about offering him tactical advice.
—Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Several acts who have been plying their musical craft since the 1960s and are still performing well over half a century later are visiting Connecticut this week.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
Launch is planned for July 2028, and Dragonfly will cruise for six years, plying the empty vastness between our two worlds.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plying
Verb
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Italy’s national anti-mafia prosecutor, Giovanni Melillo, said the seizures form part of a broader effort to dismantle the Sicilian Mafia’s economic infrastructure and prevent it from rebuilding criminal networks capable of exerting global financial and social influence, including intimidation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
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Trump has been exerting growing pressure on Mexico, with questions looming over issues including human rights, national sovereignty and regional diplomacy.—
Dorany Pineda,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Set the scene After weaving through downtown Nassau, passing the towering cruise ships in port, and waiting in traffic on the bridge to Paradise Island, arriving at the Ocean Club is a breath of fresh air (and a sigh of relief).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 May 2026
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The show’s storylines have largely revolved around drunken fights, messy breakups, hookups and cheating allegations while occasionally weaving in more serious conversations about race, mental health and fractured childhoods.—
Pilar Melendez,
NBC news,
27 May 2026
Verb
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The reforms would also require some facilities to assess the feasibility of using safer technologies or processes in their work, among other changes.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
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Zeferjahn had struggled earlier in the season, when the Angels were using him for multiple innings.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Alex Edwards kneeled on the carpet to calm down Zuri Kafuko, 3, by twisting part of her hair back in place.—
William J. Ford,
Baltimore Sun,
25 May 2026
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Press straight down to cut the dough, without twisting the cutter, to keep the layers intact.—
Terrence Hayes,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Ohio’s exemption is fairly broad, applying not only to construction materials, but to the expensive equipment — such as server racks and cooling systems — used in data centers.—
Marc Levy,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
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Travelers who have spent the past several years scrutinizing where their food, clothing and home goods come from are now applying the same questions to their vacation memorabilia.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
Verb
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There are arguments each one in terms of the same themes of power and agency and wielding that.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
30 May 2026
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Essentially, staffers are wielding 2025 tools while held to 2015 job structures.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plying. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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