PLIED Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

plied 1 of 2

verb (1)

past tense of ply

as in exerted

to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively she plied all of her charm and intelligence to convince everyone to volunteer as tutors

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plied

2 of 2

verb (2)

past tense of ply

as in twisted

to cause to twine about one another two single yarns were plied together to get the fabric that smooth, firm feel

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of plied

Verb

Much as Las Vegas casinos plied high rollers with gourmet meals and lavish entertainment, sports gaming apps are now rewarding VIP bettors with luxury suite access, autographed jerseys and unique fan experiences. — Jake Rosenwasser, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026 The partnership between two outsiders clawing their way in, joined by an equally canny journalist played by Claire Foy, comes to shape Fleet Street, the London thoroughfare where scribblers plied their trade, in Lamb’s and Murdoch’s images. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 The lakes are medieval peat diggings that were flooded by rising seas in the 14th century, and long plied by cargo boats known as wherries. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 9 Aug. 2026 There were no global superstars, and only a couple of players at genuinely elite clubs like Benfica and Villarreal; most plied their trade well outside football’s spotlight. — André Martin, Fortune, 16 July 2026 Tsietsi sent one of them to the front as a lookout, while the others eagerly plied him with questions about his activities. — Literary Hub, 16 June 2026 As Levenson makes clear, these three arguments have been plied for as long as vaccines have. — Diana Gitig, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2026 In Whitman’s time, 70 different steam ferries plied Gotham’s waters. — Julia Press, Bloomberg, 22 May 2026 Davis plied his trade in Reno, Nevada, at a time when the American West was developing into a manufacturing hub at breakneck speed. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plied

Verb

Just about all of their artistry is exerted on the script, which deftly intercuts between the time frames, advancing their plots in episodes that, though tersely dramatic, are superficial in their efficiency.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026
The effects of these publications were hardly only theoretical, as Italian anarchists exerted a powerful influence on labor strikes.

— Ed Simon, JSTOR Daily, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of exerted

Verb

Unlike streaming metrics, which can be twisted and touted in any which way, box office dollars are uniformly reported — meaning there’s no denying a hit (or a miss).

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026
It’s designed to be ergonomic, able to be held and twisted in myriad ways depending on what’s most comfortable for the user.

— Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of twisted

Verb

Many had long, black hair braided with beads and strung with bright parrot feathers.

— Daniel Barnum, Longreads, 15 Oct. 2026
At virtual hearings, Leya sat with her arms crossed, her dark, wavy hair neatly braided in cornrows and wearing an oversized coat over her red uniform.

— Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of braided

Verb

The gorgeous and tasty caramel and cream cheese frosting looks the best when applied with a small offset spatula to give it that swirly effect on the cake.

— Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026
While traditionally only achievable in real life through plastic surgery or extreme makeup, it can be applied instantly online using beauty filters.

— Chloe Veltman, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of applied

Verb

Alaska’s core constituency is composed of Natives, fishermen, rural legislators, and unions, with some chamber-of-commerce types mixed in.

— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
According to López-Alt, Shimbo, and Sakai, the best substitute for mirin is sake mixed with a sweetener.

— Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of mixed

Verb

The shade that looks most natural may depend on skin tone, application and how much the dots are blended.

— Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
In her first collaboration with a Brazilian artist, Goebel blended the DCC’s crisp formations with funk, samba, hip-hop, twerking, and the voguing of Brazil’s ballroom scene.

— Raymond Braun, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of blended

Verb

Hufanga jumped in front of running back Kyren Williams, cradled Stafford's pass and weaved his way down the field and into the end zone.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
Through more than a dozen conversations with the cast and writers, Deadline has weaved together an oral history of the series from those nerve-wracking early days on Season 1 to the bittersweet end of production in December 2025.

— Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026