1
2
a
: a tactic intended to embarrass or frustrate an opponent
b
: a devised or contrived move : stratagem
a ploy to get her to open the doorRobert B. Parker

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
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.
In recent years, however, with the cost of a national Big Game campaign rising significantly, some of Madison Avenue’s top denizens have tested the ploy. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Jan. 2025 The viral claim about Trader Joe's offering $750 gift cards has become the latest ploy targeting unsuspecting consumers. Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025 Law & Order is making a Shameless ploy to flesh out Nolan Price’s backstory. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 22 Jan. 2025 While some shows pump the creative well dry by cranking out arthritic prequels and sequels, Erickson and Stiller keep galloping forward, keeping their creation fresh rather than designed to sound the same notes time and again in a lame ploy to appease the faithful. Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for ploy 

Word History

Etymology

probably from employ

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ploy was in 1697

Dictionary Entries Near ploy

Cite this Entry

“Ploy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ploy. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

ploy

noun
: a trick designed to embarrass or upset an opponent

More from Merriam-Webster on ploy

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