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
Lyman Ward played Ferris' dad, whose busy work schedule kept him conveniently distracted from his teenage son's ploys.
—
Emma Urdangen,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
Some suggest that this bill of goods (brought to you by the same spin masters who wanted to develop our public parks) is a ploy to increase voter turnout in November.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
13 June 2026
What starts out as a ploy to get the attention of Hannah’s crush Justin Kohl (Josh Heuston) turns into reel feelings between the singer songwriter and the hockey athlete.
—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
11 June 2026
Restrain your anger and disappointment over FIFA’s corporate greed and unabashed ploy to capitalize on this every-four-year money grab.
—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Emma Urdangen,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
Some suggest that this bill of goods (brought to you by the same spin masters who wanted to develop our public parks) is a ploy to increase voter turnout in November.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
13 June 2026
What starts out as a ploy to get the attention of Hannah’s crush Justin Kohl (Josh Heuston) turns into reel feelings between the singer songwriter and the hockey athlete.
—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
11 June 2026
Restrain your anger and disappointment over FIFA’s corporate greed and unabashed ploy to capitalize on this every-four-year money grab.
—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ploy
Noun
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Early the next morning, the authorities were at Burdette’s door, this time without a ruse.
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Of course, this could all be a literally and figurative swift ruse on the part of the Miss Americana superstar and her Super Bowl-winning fiancé.
Noun
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The charges stem from a March 15 crime spree in southeast Portland that prosecutors said targeted four women.
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And Louis, perhaps exhausted from his spree of bouts, but also perhaps looking past Schmeling, hadn’t trained much.
Noun
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Prosecutors allege Eidleh, along with other members of the scheme, solicited and received bribes and kickbacks from individuals and companies seeking approval to operate fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program sites.
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This has fueled the ‘spend not sell’ movement, in which builders seek to familiarize users with earning and spending their bitcoin rather than trading and falling for get-rich-quick schemes.
Noun
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Boutique gems, new offers win the day Elevated VIP-style vacays with truffles, oysters and bubbly are attainable with some tips and tricks.
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Sora Shirai captured victory after maintaining his lead through the best trick section, while teammates Kairi Netsuke and Toa Sasaki climbed from the bottom of the leaderboard with clutch final tricks to complete a Japanese podium sweep.
Cite this Entry
“Ploy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ploy. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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