ply 1 of 3

noun

Definition of plynext
as in bias
an attitude that always favors one way of feeling or acting especially without considering any other possibilities since taking a ply to French burgundies, he's hardly even looked at anything else in the wine store

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ply

2 of 3

verb (1)

ˈplī How to pronounce ply (audio)
as in to exert
to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively she plied all of her charm and intelligence to convince everyone to volunteer as tutors

Synonyms & Similar Words

ply

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to weave
to cause to twine about one another two single yarns were plied together to get the fabric that smooth, firm feel

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 ply
Noun
By then, standard-issue electric typewriters and six-ply carbon paper had been replaced by far less visually interesting computers. — Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026 To make this a game-changer, Mitsubishi employed a craftsman hand-roll process using full-length, high-strength carbon fiber plies in internal layers, to create a super smooth bend profile for the best-possible feedback and feel. — Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
At home, with a group of players who ply their trade in top European leagues, who finally appeared to be healthy all at once, and a coach with a winning resumé and competitive guile forged in Argentina’s soccer foundry. — Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 7 July 2026 Meanwhile, the Blue Sharks are playing in their first World Cup and consist of many players who ply their trade away from the world’s top leagues. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ply
  1. bias
  2. exert
  3. weave
  4. tendency
  5. use
  6. prejudice
  7. apply
  8. wield
Noun
  • However, inconsistencies and biases in the study’s findings have arisen over the years, leading researchers to scrutinize the data more closely.
    — Versha Pleasant, The Conversation, 30 July 2026
  • Dawson sued the university's governing board, arguing she was discriminated against because of her race and gender, and that she was fired in retaliation for speaking up about bias.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Definition of bias
Verb
  • The Fed is charged with influencing the overnight lending rate among banks, and uses resources extracted from the private sector to exert its influence.
    — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • The dynamic underscores how Trump continues to view tariffs as a tool for exerting pressure, both for trade grievances and as leverage in broader negotiations.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of exert
Verb
  • And throughout their exchange, Paul weaved in his analysis of Fauci’s actions to frame the one-sided conversation his way.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
  • The podcast, which launched in 2025, focuses on a single sad track as a means for artists to weave personal narratives.
    — Cathy Applefeld Olson, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of weave
Noun
  • That tendency toward downbeat storytelling has befallen many Spider-Man films over the years.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
  • The Alpha Capricornids may fare a little better because of their tendency to produce brilliant fireballs capable of shining through the moonlight.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of tendency
Verb
  • There’s often debate about whether AI is used by employers to increase productivity among its workforce or cut wage costs, according to Brian Justie, a senior research analyst with the UCLA Labor Center.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
  • Investigators said Summers was using his phone extensively before the crash, driving 73-75 mph, and tested positive for cocaine and opiates.
    — Chadd Cripe. Produced with AI assistance, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026
Definition of use
Noun
  • In the District of Columbia, federal Judge Ana Reyes said comments from Noem about Haitians showed prejudice.
    — Jay Weaver July 22, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
  • An alleged child-abuse drama which cleverly plays with audiences own sense of prejudice, the work is hailed in its native Catalonia as a modern Catalan classic.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 21 July 2026
Definition of prejudice
Verb
  • During the LolaVie styling session, Aniston also praised Cox’s hair while applying the brand’s Glossing Detangler.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026
  • However, If a governor is elected for a term of fewer than three years, that term will not apply against governor term limits.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 29 July 2026
Definition of apply
Verb
  • Walking through the doors of Valkyrie Arms Training in Meridian, you are greeted by a large mural of 19th century women on the Western frontier, dressed in period gowns and gazing into the distance — and wielding firearms.
    — Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 25 July 2026
  • The study’s explicit inclusion of visitors’ perceptions of utility, and particularly the idea that visitors seem to actually respond to recommendations, raises the question of how museums should wield this power over the visitor experience.
    — Mureji Fatunde-Iloeje, ArsTechnica, 25 July 2026
Definition of wield

Browse Nearby Words

plutonian
ply
plying
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ply. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on ply

Nglish: Translation of ply for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All