ploy

noun

ˈplȯi 

1

: escapade, frolic

2

a

: a tactic intended to embarrass or frustrate an opponent

b

: a devised or contrived move : stratagem

The story about being sick is just a ploy to get you to give her money.

… a ploy to get her to open the door?

—Robert B. Parker

Synonyms of ploy

• ruse
• scheme
• trick

Examples of ploy in a Sentence

Her story about being sick is only a ploy to get you to give her money.

asking me to take her shopping turned out to be a ploy to get me to the surprise party

Recent Examples on the Web

Taylor loves her Easter eggs, and there are rumors flying that Madison Square Garden is simply a bold ploy to redirect fans’ (and the media’s) attention away from where her true nuptials will be. — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 1 July 2026

The Postal Service ploy is deservedly under attack in the courts, where Trump is zero for 10 in lawsuits demanding state voter rolls. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2026

But Kane’s continuing NFL fandom is not just a gimmick or a ploy to ‘break America’. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 23 June 2026

This might be a clever ploy by AI makers or evildoers. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably from employ

First Known Use

1722, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ploy

• counter-ploy
• marketing ploy

Rhymes for ploy

• boy
• choy
• coy
• croy
• foy
• hoi
• hoy
• joy
• loy
• oy
• soy
• toy

Kids Definition

ploy

noun

ˈplȯi 

: a trick designed to embarrass or upset an opponent