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
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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
Industry watchdogs say threatening closure in response to state or federal enforcement actions is a familiar ploy for nursing home owners.
—
Eli Cahan, ProPublica, 23 Mar. 2026
The official called it a ploy to manipulate markets and said there’s no communication lines between the two countries.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026
Britain’s colonization of Tasmania was a ploy to ensure British dominance in international sea power.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
President Joe Biden attempted to appease Iran by relaxing sanctions, another ploy that failed.
—Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Eli Cahan, ProPublica, 23 Mar. 2026
The official called it a ploy to manipulate markets and said there’s no communication lines between the two countries.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026
Britain’s colonization of Tasmania was a ploy to ensure British dominance in international sea power.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
President Joe Biden attempted to appease Iran by relaxing sanctions, another ploy that failed.
—Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ploy
Noun
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Carreyrou acknowledged an obvious objection to this thesis—that there is a lengthy paper trail of Back corresponding with Satoshi—but explains it away by saying that Back was actually writing to himself as part of an elaborate ruse to throw would-be unmaskers off the trail.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
8 Apr. 2026
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By the finale, the ruse is revealed, and the star walks away with prize money and a behind-the-scenes tour of The Truman Show–esque operation.—
Angelina Mazza,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Police believe one person is responsible for an expensive vandalism spree in Union County, New Jersey.—
Allen Devlin,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
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Boston led by just three points entering the final quarter before going on a game-breaking 16-6 spree that was started by a long 3-pointer from Pritchard 18 seconds into the period.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In the meantime, Vx Underground says the malware used in the attack shares a command-and-control server with another scheme spotted last month involving a look-alike FileZilla site hosting a Trojanized copy of the software.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
10 Apr. 2026
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During the hearing, Hamdan admitted to creating and operating a scheme to submit false and fraudulent claims for prescription drugs.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Supernova the Strongwoman will dazzle the crowd with risky tricks and demolition.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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CEOs who have climbed to the top of their industries have an eagle eye for talent who drive success—and many have developed their own tricks to find the right hires.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ploy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ploy. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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