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
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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
Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Sources told the Associated Press that Russia’s improvements on the Shahed drone include decoys meant to divert air defenses, jet engines, cameras, advanced anti-jammers, radio links, AI computing platforms, as well as Starlink capabilities that no longer work in Ukraine.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
In multi-vessel scenarios, some units act as decoys to draw enemy radar and fire.
—Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
If anything, there’s little about Vokietaitis’ game that involves decoys.
—Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 20 Mar. 2026
Igloo White was often misled by Vietnamese decoys.
—Jon R. Lindsay, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026
The crow decoys were dropped from a drone onto the prison grounds, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release on Monday.
—Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Mar. 2026
Some decoys appear young; others use AI to make their photos look younger.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
What makes these decoys so striking isn’t just their size, but the accuracy behind the artistry.
—New Atlas, 21 Dec. 2025
Jason Newman, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025
Noun
Both sides have made effective use of decoys, such as plywood M777 howitzers that are cheaper and easier to replace than the drones used to destroy them.
—Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Sources told the Associated Press that Russia’s improvements on the Shahed drone include decoys meant to divert air defenses, jet engines, cameras, advanced anti-jammers, radio links, AI computing platforms, as well as Starlink capabilities that no longer work in Ukraine.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
In multi-vessel scenarios, some units act as decoys to draw enemy radar and fire.
—Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
If anything, there’s little about Vokietaitis’ game that involves decoys.
—Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 20 Mar. 2026
Igloo White was often misled by Vietnamese decoys.
—Jon R. Lindsay, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026
The crow decoys were dropped from a drone onto the prison grounds, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release on Monday.
—Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Mar. 2026
Some decoys appear young; others use AI to make their photos look younger.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
What makes these decoys so striking isn’t just their size, but the accuracy behind the artistry.
—New Atlas, 21 Dec. 2025
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
-
Never place toxic baits on the surface of the ground.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
11 Apr. 2026
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Claus likes to put out six live baits on the surface, flying two fishing kites with three lines each, along with some flat-line baits.—
Steve Waters,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The hard-fighting, good-tasting fish can be caught on live bait, dead bait and lures while drifting, trolling, kite-fishing, or anchored up over a wreck or reef.—
Steve Waters,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
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In the process, Nicole unintentionally unleashes a terrifyingly malign spirit who lures victims to their deaths with a haunting whistle.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If a hobby upgrade tempts you, open a spreadsheet to compare options before opening your wallet!—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Which horizon tempts your curious steps now?—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Intrigued, the Duke secretly seduces Gilda, breaks her heart and destroys Rigoletto’s life.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
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The victim of his sacrifice is Gretchen, a virgin whom Faust seduces and abandons in his devilish reverie, and who kills their illegitimate child.—
Merve Emre,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decoys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decoys. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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