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

Cyclops Odysseus’s wittiest ploy in Homer’s tale concerns him and his men’s escape from the clutches of Polyphemus, the giant cyclops (and son of Poseidon). — Marlow Stern, Variety, 17 July 2026

The idea that laws aimed at keeping males out of girls' sports is actually a ploy to keep girls from playing girls' sports is too ridiculous to entertain. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026

Idaho’s largest health care system is one of several across the country suing Tehum Care Services, formerly Corizon Health, over a 2023 bankruptcy that plaintiffs say became a ploy to get out of paying its creditors. — Darin Oswald, Idaho Statesman, 13 July 2026

With the center sliding ever rightward, is the board’s plea for moderation a ploy to keep the Democrats compliant and accepting in their/our being dragged along through the corridors of power? — Chicago Tribune, 9 July 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