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toy

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb toy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of toy are coquet, dally, flirt, and trifle. While all these words mean "to deal with or act toward without serious purpose," toy implies acting without full attention or serious exertion of one's powers.

a political novice toying with great issues

When can coquet be used instead of toy?

While in some cases nearly identical to toy, coquet implies attracting interest or admiration without serious intention.

companies that coquet with environmentalism solely for public relations

When would dally be a good substitute for toy?

In some situations, the words dally and toy are roughly equivalent. However, dally suggests indulging in thoughts or plans merely as an amusement.

dallying with the idea of building a boat someday

In what contexts can flirt take the place of toy?

The words flirt and toy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, flirt implies an interest or attention that soon passes to another object.

flirted with one fashionable ism after another

When could trifle be used to replace toy?

The meanings of trifle and toy largely overlap; however, trifle may imply playfulness, unconcern, indulgent contempt.

to trifle with a lover's feelings

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of toy
Verb
The faster chip and larger RAM options open a world of possibilities that the Pi community is just beginning to toy around with. Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 21 Aug. 2019 In recent seasons, the fashion industry has toyed between the chunky combat and the second skin; the western-inspired and the equestrian; the reimagined welly and the distressed biker—we’ve even witnessed the resurgence of the Chelsea boot thanks to Jonathan Anderson at Loewe. Ciarra Lorren Zatorski, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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 Try Amazon’s own toy subscription service, which boasts a subscription for children aged 3 to 13. Popular Science, 11 Oct. 2019 See All Example Sentences for toy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toy
Verb
  • Engage Your Senses In a shared office environment, playing loud music or lighting a scented candle is frowned upon.
    Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Goodrich leads all scorers with 39 points in the 106-98 loss at Chicago. 1972 — Wilt Chamberlain plays his last pro basketball game.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Instead, Steven Kwan flirted with .400 at one point before finishing with a .292 average.
    Johnny Flores Jr., New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Fewer bonding experiences: Dancing, flirting, laughing over drinks — these are all ways humans historically release stress and build intimacy, even in short bursts.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Look for citrus varieties grafted onto dwarf or semi-dwarf root stock so the citrus tree stays small and doesn’t need to be pruned or re-potted as often.
    Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Of the galaxies identified, the team said 58% are elliptical dwarf galaxies and 42% are irregular dwarf galaxies.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The Liberals' smallest lead was in a poll conducted by Innovative Research among 1,548 Canadian citizens, which showed the party with a lead of just 2 points, on 36 percent to the Conservatives' 34 percent—a lead within the poll's 3 percent margin of error.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Retail trade, which includes small and large clothing stores, lost 6,700 jobs, around 5,500 of which were not in department stores.
    Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
  • The jets assigned to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President François Hollande were parked nearby, appearing almost miniature in comparison.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The males gather twigs and place them upright, in two bundles, with a gap in the middle, resulting in what looks like a miniature archway.
    Shawn Simpson, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Small storage space in the K4 is on the paltry side, as the center console is pretty dinky and the door pockets shallow.
    Kristin Shaw, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Everyone enjoyed dinky hors d’oeuvres and blinis, and sipped on champagne and Tommy’s margaritas with Don Julio.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • One 2019 study from researchers at Florida Gulf Coast University and West Virginia University found little evidence that CDFI funding significantly boosts small business activity.
    Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • And despite the dynamic, positive feedback of the recovery, there is little evidence of fresh dollar inflows at this point.
    Guy Petcho, National Review, 19 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Toy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toy. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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