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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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

The military has exerted pressure on those outside the country through their passports.

— Andrew Nachemson, The Dial, 22 Sep. 2026
In short, the system of high-budget television production exerted mighty pressures on Dunham and on the show, a little for better but mostly for worse.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of exerted

Verb

Toyota said the facility will allow engineers to identify and address battery issues closer to where vehicles are being manufactured and used.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
At the time, the state used a three-drug execution protocol of midazolam, vecuronium bromide and potassium chloride.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of used

Verb

Those experiments could test what happens when quasiparticles are exchanged, or braided around one another.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
Elsewhere, the actual tablecloth material was dyed, cut into cloth, then braided and bound with leather to give PVC pants and a dress, with its sweet pintucked front panel, heft and structure.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of braided

Verb

Linebacker Rashan Gary had a sack, and finally applied noticeable pressure on a quarterback for the first time with the team.

— Mac Engel October 4, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2026
But under New York criminal law — which will be applied here — this is not the definition that will be used.

— Ilana Turko, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of applied

Verb

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
Wake Forest nearly overcame a holding penalty that set up third and 24 when Lopez completed a pass to Hernandez, who weaved and broke his way through the defense for a 21-yard gain.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of wove

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“Plied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plied. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of plied

verb (1)

verb (2)

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