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

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 While virtually every other draftable player was in a power conference this year, Graves plied his trade for the third-place team in the West Coast Conference. — John Hollinger, New York Times, 15 May 2026 But Venegas’ parents were artists above all — photographers specifically, a trade now plied by Yvonne — and as such, romantics at heart and in practice. — Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026 Kids — and even adults — plied me with questions about what happened during those three long days of captivity. — Midsi Sanchez, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plied

Verb

His administration has also exerted pressure against state AI laws.

— Dana Taylor, USA Today, 27 July 2026
By dominating the digital world, Silicon Valley has already exerted indirect control over the physical one.

— Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026

Definition of exerted

Verb

In the classic entrepreneurial discussion, hope gets twisted a bit.

— Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026
Quixotic aerialists twisted, turned and unfolded above the crowd, using flowing fabric and butterfly-inspired movements to mirror the creatures being celebrated.

— Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of twisted

Verb

Police set up a strike force to investigate Jones after The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported in 2023 that Jones used his position of power, first as a schoolteacher and later as a popular broadcaster, to prey on a number of young men.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
The route is being used by Saudi Arabia to export oil via the Suez Canal north to Europe and down south to Asian markets as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz.

— Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of used

Verb

Even leave-in masks, which are designed for daily use, should be applied according to your hair’s needs; overloading can leave strands greasy or limp.

— Anya Meyerowitz, Glamour, 2 Aug. 2026
At Pio Cesare, which has been producing both Barolo and Barbaresco since its founding in 1881, the same winemaking technique is applied to both wines.

— Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of applied

Verb

And throughout their exchange, Paul weaved in his analysis of Fauci’s actions to frame the one-sided conversation his way.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
The story of this sport is told inside that room — in so many ways, through the tales chiseled into those plaques and the portraits of the men who weaved those tales.

— Jayson Stark, New York Times, 27 July 2026