ply 1 of 3

Definition of plynext

ply

2 of 3

verb (1)

as in to exert
to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively she plied all of her charm and intelligence to convince everyone to volunteer as tutors

Synonyms & Similar Words

ply

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to weave
to cause to twine about one another two single yarns were plied together to get the fabric that smooth, firm feel

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 ply
Noun
Generally Septic-Safe Types of Toilet Papers Standard toilet paper products that are generally beneficial for the septic system include recycled toilet paper, biodegradable toilet paper, tree-free toilet paper, single-ply toilet paper, and soft two-ply toilet paper. Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Dec. 2025 Stainless steel is a poor conductor, meaning a single-ply pan made of stainless steel would cook inconsistently, with numerous hot and cold spots. Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Dec. 2025
Verb
Although by this point Garrison had already been plying the slammer trade for several years, Alfortish wasn’t shy about offering him tactical advice. Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026 Several acts who have been plying their musical craft since the 1960s and are still performing well over half a century later are visiting Connecticut this week. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ply
Noun
  • That proposal made national headlines and led to months of reckoning with racial bias after a Center School parent was caught on a hot mic during a remote school board meeting.
    Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Providers also can fall victim to inadvertent bias, assuming a young, otherwise healthy patient must be dealing with something other than shingles.
    Alyssa Sparacino, Glamour, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • There's generally a tendency for organizations to focus too much on measuring or tracking input or activity, as opposed to output.
    Kristina Rex, CBS News, 1 May 2026
  • His playoff history and tendency to let up weak goals do raise some red flags.
    Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • That is prejudice dressed in the language of security.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The goal was to combat racial prejudice by putting white and Black people in a room together for a marathon weekend of unfiltered sharing and confrontation.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ply. Accessed 5 May. 2026.

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