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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Recent Examples of ploy
This was sort of portrayed as a ploy by the government and these companies to shut down trading and prevent the little guy from from making money.
—
Fortune Editors, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2025
But Hamas’s rapid acceptance of the deal may be as much a strategic ploy as a symptom of duress.
—Leila Seurat, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
Authorities suspected the plane crash was a ploy Schrenker used to fake his own death and escape his personal and financial troubles.
—Alexandria Burris, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025
Some call this a mere ploy by Newsom to deter the Texas Republicans from their plan.
—Thomas Elias, Oc Register, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Fortune Editors, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2025
But Hamas’s rapid acceptance of the deal may be as much a strategic ploy as a symptom of duress.
—Leila Seurat, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
Authorities suspected the plane crash was a ploy Schrenker used to fake his own death and escape his personal and financial troubles.
—Alexandria Burris, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025
Some call this a mere ploy by Newsom to deter the Texas Republicans from their plan.
—Thomas Elias, Oc Register, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ploy
Noun
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Police said McGriff employed the ruse to access the couple's Queens residence and then set it ablaze.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
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McGriff allegedly tried the ruse at a nearby house first but was turned away, Tisch said.—
Mark Morales,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Gunman opens fire across Denver area On December 27, 2021, a gunman killed five people and wounded several others, including a police officer, in a Denver metro area shooting spree that included a car chase and gunfights with law enforcement, authorities said.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
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Patrizio led the group’s ’90s acquisition spree, its Hong Kong IPO in 2011, and most recently the takeover of Versace.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Roberts and Robinson, who federal prosecutors say conducted the scheme over the course of five years, between 2018 and 2023, allegedly stole $900,000 from the court system.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 Sep. 2025
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Just look at the offense — more weapons, better scheme, more support.—
Dianna Russini,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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So the real trick was creating a hue with blendability that people were willing to reapply.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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The Luray Caverns feel almost magical—complete with musical instruments built into the walls, mirror-like lakes that play tricks on your eyes, and even a wishing well tucked into the underground pathways.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ploy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ploy. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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