ploy

ploy

noun \ˈplȯi\

Definition of PLOY

1

: escapade, frolic

2

a : a tactic intended to embarrass or frustrate an opponent

b : a devised or contrived move : stratagem <a ploy to get her to open the door — Robert B. Parker>

Examples of PLOY

1. Her story about being sick is only a ploy to get you to give her money.
2. <asking me to take her shopping turned out to be a ploy to get me to the surprise party>

Origin of PLOY

probably from employ

First Known Use: 1697

Related to PLOY

Synonyms

artifice, device, dodge, fetch, flimflam, gambit, gimmick, jig, juggle, knack, play, trick, scheme, shenanigan, sleight, stratagem, wile

Related Words

bluff, end run, feint; cheating, chicanery, cozenage, craft, crookery, cunning, deception, dupery, duplicity, fakery, jugglery, legerdemain, skulduggery (or skullduggery), subterfuge, swindling, trickery; fraud, gaff, hoax, sham, swindle; blind, front, smoke screen

Rhymes with PLOY

boy, buoy, cloy, coy, foy, goy, hoy, joy, koi, oy, poi, Roy, soy, toy, troy, Troy