1
as in to play
to engage in activity for amusement
the cat toyed with the mouse it had caught, batting it about
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to flirt
to show a sexual attraction for someone just for fun
likes to toy with men whom she has no intention of actually dating
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in toylike
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of toy
Micolette Davis, Chron, 19 Nov. 2020
Scene transitions show toy cities, just like those used on the legendary children’s show, only Lloyd’s story is unfolding in Manhattan, rather than Pittsburgh.
—Rachel E. Greenspan, Time, 22 Nov. 2019
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2025
Interest in the rights was reignited in 2007 following the runaway success of Michael Bay first movie about Transformers, another beloved '80s toy line.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Dacus had been toying around with the ideas behind the song for a while: the beautiful minutiae of sharing a life with someone, and betting on love in the face of inevitable change.
—James Factora, Them, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for toy
Verb
That's why the Chron Shopping team has picked out some of our favorite non-toy gifts for kids to keep children engaged, active, and happy.
—Micolette Davis, Chron, 19 Nov. 2020
Scene transitions show toy cities, just like those used on the legendary children’s show, only Lloyd’s story is unfolding in Manhattan, rather than Pittsburgh.
—Rachel E. Greenspan, Time, 22 Nov. 2019
Adjective
Rana Esseily, a French psychologist, led a study in which grownups showed eighteen-month-old toddlers how to use a grabber to retrieve a toy.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2025
Interest in the rights was reignited in 2007 following the runaway success of Michael Bay first movie about Transformers, another beloved '80s toy line.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
The bill is the result of six years of studying and toying around the edges of PBM issues.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Dacus had been toying around with the ideas behind the song for a while: the beautiful minutiae of sharing a life with someone, and betting on love in the face of inevitable change.
—James Factora, Them, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for toy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toy
Verb
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Still, that isn’t a factor when considering how hard and inspired the Broncos played in front of a ninth straight sellout crowd at Albertsons Stadium.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Sep. 2025
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Though his interests were that of a pretty typical child — computing and gaming, playing the saxophone, enjoying soccer and time with his pets — he was also known for his acts of kindness and generosity.—
Lauren Costantino
September 6,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond briefly flirted with 5 percent this week but has risen over the past month much less than other government bonds.—
George Calhoun,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Deeper Conversation People who flirt through deeper conversation are likely prioritizing emotional connections.—
Essence,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Their alternatively affable and tense banter in front of the camera depict a fraught father-son relationship in miniature, but also how self-aware and intelligent Adrian could be even in his lowest moments.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
3 Sep. 2025
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Written in the flush of a new friendship with co-producer, engineer, and musician Sam Weber, the album unspools a suite of folk miniatures riven with discursive melodies as evocative as the cultural ephemera dotted through the lyrics.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Other recent surveys have started to find small satellite galaxies orbiting isolated dwarf galaxies.—
Victoria Corless,
Space.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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The team also discovered two more new species of dwarf gecko: Lygodactylus arnei and Lygodactylus andavambato.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Looking for a free mini puzzle?—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
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Plus, there are 14 buildable droids and nine mini builds to create Babu Frik's workshop.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Even if advised by a manufacturer, the marble cleaning solution should still be tested on a small, inconspicuous area before getting started.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
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Her list continues with small but frustrating oversights.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Built with water-resistant polyester, this spacious duffel has a dedicated shoe compartment, an end pocket for wet or dirty clothes, a multi-pocket compression panel for organization, and an interior divider curtain that can be removed to hold bulky clothes or outdoor gear.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Jan. 2025
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The Vault by Vans x Nicole McLaughlin Collection includes special-edition versions of the iconic Vans Slip-On VP VR3 LX with adaptations—think canvas pockets and easy-carry heel straps—inspired by a classic multi-pocket garden tote and workwear bucket bag often used on construction job sites.—
Hollyanna McCollom,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Mar. 2023
Adjective
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But when fans arrived at the festival site, they were greeted with little more than dinky tents, grounds that resembled a refugee camp, and cheese sandwiches.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
15 July 2025
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Her dinky dimensions are a small piece of Pearl’s story, though a large part of Semler’s.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Toy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toy. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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