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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of decoys
Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 23 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
One pair locked up on the decoys.
—Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 18 Dec. 2025
Weapons that serve much the same purposes—smart stand-off attack, decoys, and stand-in jammers—have already existed for decades in the form of cruise missiles and decoys such as the ADM-160 MALD-X.
—Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
Jason Newman, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025
Noun
In multi-vessel scenarios, some units act as decoys to draw enemy radar and fire.
—Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 23 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
One pair locked up on the decoys.
—Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 18 Dec. 2025
Weapons that serve much the same purposes—smart stand-off attack, decoys, and stand-in jammers—have already existed for decades in the form of cruise missiles and decoys such as the ADM-160 MALD-X.
—Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 15 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
-
Always follow local rules and regulations when trapping and relocating gophers and never use poison baits, which can harm non-target animals like owls and pets.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Start by setting out baits labeled for carpenter ants (but keep them out of reach of kids and pets).—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Just around the corner, the hotel’s compact fitness centre lures even the least fitness-enthusiastic guests, thanks to knockout treadmill views extending to the bay.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Mar. 2026
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A world away from the big resorts on in Los Cabos but only an hour-and-a-half drive, Todos Santos lures those looking for a quieter escape.—
The Editors,
Outside,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Which horizon tempts your curious steps now?—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
-
November 22 – December 21 Which horizon tempts your curious steps now?—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Intrigued, the Duke secretly seduces Gilda, breaks her heart and destroys Rigoletto’s life.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
-
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 29 Mar. 2026.
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