1
as in ruses
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 sprees
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 ploys
As with all Survivor ploys, if the rules don’t explicitly forbid it — heck, get in there and work it to your advantage!
—
Nick Caruso, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
Nick Caruso, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ploys
Noun
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Episode 4 finds both Ellen and Julia throwing themselves headlong into plans that require them to keep up major ruses.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Maybe the economy is just right-sizing, with companies returning to more normal employee head-counts after recent hiring sprees.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
20 Sep. 2025
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James was famous for his bank robbery sprees, including one that led to a $10,000 reward for his capture.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But some of the crazy schemes the Fenian Brotherhood are cooking up are real.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
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Wun applied for grants, schemes and emerging designer showcases hosted by the British Fashion Council (BFC) from 2014 until 2018 — when he was deemed ineligible because his business had reached three years old.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Researchers at the University of Virginia’s School of Engineering and Applied Science have created two prototype devices that demonstrate what’s possible.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Sep. 2025
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The Russian devices can disrupt satellite operations, blind satellites, manipulate or kinetically destroy them, Pistorius said, according to Reuters.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Now streaming on Disney+ RoboGobo saves a scared bat and stops The Slink from haunting MetroPet Island with her tricks.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Sep. 2025
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Buff Lightweight Merino Wool Neck Gaiter Another favorite from my bag of tricks, this Merino wool neck gaiter from Buff can transform, too.—
Alice Bennett,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ploys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ploys. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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