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
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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
There are numerous other bold characters getting tangled up in new ploys aimed at giving them a step up in a world that wants to keep them tamped down.
—
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
After the first Roundtable, Survivor stalwart Rob Cesternino — perhaps clued in by Candiace’s absurd conga line ploy to get people out of the kitchen — sniffed out that a murder in plain sight could be happening.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
Arsenal, keeping Bukayo Saka high, use a similar ploy, and Slot’s men also pressed similarly in their title-winning season.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2025
The Dodgers' interest in Skubal could be a ploy to generate better offers for the Tigers.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
After the first Roundtable, Survivor stalwart Rob Cesternino — perhaps clued in by Candiace’s absurd conga line ploy to get people out of the kitchen — sniffed out that a murder in plain sight could be happening.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
Arsenal, keeping Bukayo Saka high, use a similar ploy, and Slot’s men also pressed similarly in their title-winning season.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2025
The Dodgers' interest in Skubal could be a ploy to generate better offers for the Tigers.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ploy
Noun
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Seth Rollins has been out with a legitimate injury, but after his ruse to win at SummerSlam, anything is possible with him.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Federal agents are currently roaming cities under the ruse of going after murderers and rapists but are instead pulling anyone who doesn't fit their idea of what an American looks like out of cars, homes and schools using thuggish methods.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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During 2021, life science investment peaked and speculative developers went on a building spree, but today much of that space sits empty.—
Noelle Harff,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
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The 37-second spree was the fastest three goals in Penguins history and the fastest three allowed by the Oilers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Monica Cannon-Grant, 44, pleaded guilty in September 2025 to 18 of 27 counts, including wire fraud, mail fraud and failing to file tax returns related to a scheme in which Cannon-Grant and her late husband, Clark Grant, pocketed thousands of dollars in donations to their nonprofit.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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The lawsuit alleges that pharmacy benefit managers and insulin manufacturers created and participated in a pricing scheme that led to an increase in the price of insulin and increased profits.—
Kyle Werner,
Des Moines Register,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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So much grunt routes through a trick all-wheel-drive system that actually uses a two-speed gearbox ahead of the engine between the front wheels, in addition to a more traditional eight-speed dual-clutch transaxle routing power to the rears.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Our mother figures and friends can serve as the best sources of inspiration for beauty tips and tricks, thanks to many years of trial and error.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ploy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ploy. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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