as in baits
something used to attract animals to a hook or into a trap
we set the decoy afloat in the marsh and from the blind waited for the ducks to arrive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in lures
to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage
tacky souvenir shops to which first-time tourists had been decoyed into spending their hard-earned money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of decoys
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Though reps for the group have yet to confirm what happened, the enigmatic duo are known for similars hijinks, including sending decoys to their Boiler Room DJ sets and interviews.
—
Kiana Mickles,
Pitchfork,
17 June 2026
When used correctly, these decoys can scare away pesky birds who are trying to roost on your porch.
—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
Achieving it in reality would be brutally hard because the target moves, hides, jams, uses decoys, and fights back.
—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
Cuban leaders are believed to rely on hardened facilities, underground bunkers, tunnels, decoys, secure compounds and frequent movement.
—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
Scarecrows, reflective streamers, predator decoys, strobe lights or lasers, and balloons with eye patterns all serve this function.
—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
24 May 2026
Jason Newman,
Rolling Stone,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
The coordinated assault involved various drone types, including new models and decoys, demonstrating sophisticated planning.
—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Though reps for the group have yet to confirm what happened, the enigmatic duo are known for similars hijinks, including sending decoys to their Boiler Room DJ sets and interviews.
—
Kiana Mickles,
Pitchfork,
17 June 2026
When used correctly, these decoys can scare away pesky birds who are trying to roost on your porch.
—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
Achieving it in reality would be brutally hard because the target moves, hides, jams, uses decoys, and fights back.
—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
Cuban leaders are believed to rely on hardened facilities, underground bunkers, tunnels, decoys, secure compounds and frequent movement.
—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
Scarecrows, reflective streamers, predator decoys, strobe lights or lasers, and balloons with eye patterns all serve this function.
—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
24 May 2026
Verb
Osit looks for answers in multiple places, interviewing law enforcement officials and district attorneys, academics, and former Perverted Justice decoys from the show.
—
Jason Newman,
Rolling Stone,
20 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decoys
Noun
-
To make your own baits, mix 1 tablespoon of borax with 3 tablespoons each of sugar and water.
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But be sure to avoid handling things such as gasoline, sunscreen, tobacco, and insect repellent, which will send them scurrying away from even the most tantalizing baits.
Verb
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Sure, Antarctica has penguins, but the Arctic lures travelers north with polar bears and walruses, especially in the remote Svalbard archipelago.
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This particular market lures in people from all across the region, numbering as many as 3,500 on summer days.
Verb
-
Daniel’s presence is but one of many not-so-subtle ways Lestat tempts Louis back into his life.
-
Doue and Dembele also drop into midfield, while Kvaratskhelia is his usual destructive self off the left, rounding off a nightmare of rotations and raw running power that tempts defences out of their shape before smashing through.
Verb
-
Intrigued, the Duke secretly seduces Gilda, breaks her heart and destroys Rigoletto’s life.
-
The victim of his sacrifice is Gretchen, a virgin whom Faust seduces and abandons in his devilish reverie, and who kills their illegitimate child.
Cite this Entry
“Decoys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decoys. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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