1
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
asking me to take her shopping turned out to be a ploy to get me to the surprise party
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in spree
a time or instance of carefree fun
wanted one grand ploy through Europe before settling down and raising a family
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ploy
Council Speaker Julie Menin and Finance Committee Chair Linda Lee promptly poured cold water on Mamdani’s property tax ploy.
—
Eric Kober, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026
Their poverty, the fruit of Salieri’s malicious ploys, tests the limits of their endurance.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Pegula’s decision to use underachieving receiver Keon Coleman as a ploy to defend Beane and shade the coaching staff backfired mightily.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
The Bears' president said in mid-December that the team was widening its search beyond Illinois — a statement seen by many as a negotiation ploy.
—Marissa Payne, IndyStar, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Eric Kober, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026
Their poverty, the fruit of Salieri’s malicious ploys, tests the limits of their endurance.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Pegula’s decision to use underachieving receiver Keon Coleman as a ploy to defend Beane and shade the coaching staff backfired mightily.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
The Bears' president said in mid-December that the team was widening its search beyond Illinois — a statement seen by many as a negotiation ploy.
—Marissa Payne, IndyStar, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ploy
Noun
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As part of the ruse to extract her from Venezuela, Machado wore a disguise to leave the country, violating Venezuela’s then-travel ban, according to the Associated Press.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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Director Ben Affleck also stars in the historical thriller (and a sort of salute to the movies) about the CIA using a fake sci-fi movie as a ruse to rescue diplomats during the Iran hostage crisis.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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During the pandemic, Shvo snapped up the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco, the Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach, and the Coca-Cola building at 711 Fifth Avenue, a $3 billion spree made possible with the backing of German pension fund BVK, the country’s largest public pension group.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
9 Mar. 2026
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Desperate, the brothers resort to going on a bank-robbing spree, which becomes a game of cat and mouse as they are tracked by a pair of Texas rangers (Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham).—
Sezin Devi Keohler,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Fitting back into the scheme after his absence, James focused on setting screens for the short-handed frontcourt that was without Jaxson Hayes (back soreness) and Maxi Kleber (lumbar back strain).—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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His ball production gives new defensive coordinator Christian Parker a scheme-fit defensive back that can help create turnovers for a defense that was tied for the second-least interceptions in 2025.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This under-$40 Amazon pick totally does the trick, and even comes with a little matching pouch.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
13 Mar. 2026
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The previous reader confirmed that the engine can be remote started with this trick using the key-fob.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ploy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ploy. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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