as in exerting
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
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as in weaving
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
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Recent Examples of plying
Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 31 May 2026
This allows local broadcasters and streamers to build their own packages around national stars plying their trade in the Premier League, and for PLP to ensure new content was available at the start of every new season.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 May 2026
The kitschy Bubble Room restaurant is serving up its legendary sky-high slices of cake, and Captiva Cruises has a full schedule of sunset, wildlife watching, and sightseeing tours plying the local waterways.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 16 May 2026
From there, the Amerongen sailed east, plying colonial trade routes around Java.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 14 May 2026
No one has been plying his trade on Katella Avenue longer than Terry, and that’s shown through in his leadership by example, his support of his teammates and his production.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
However, in a preliminary list announced by the head coach this week — which previewed the names of players currently plying their trade in the Mexican league — a vacant spot was left among the goalkeepers specifically for players based abroad.
—German Fernández-Moores, Houston Chronicle, 1 May 2026
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
Verb
These challenges are why solar sails aren't yet plying the vastness of space.
—Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 31 May 2026
This allows local broadcasters and streamers to build their own packages around national stars plying their trade in the Premier League, and for PLP to ensure new content was available at the start of every new season.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 May 2026
The kitschy Bubble Room restaurant is serving up its legendary sky-high slices of cake, and Captiva Cruises has a full schedule of sunset, wildlife watching, and sightseeing tours plying the local waterways.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 16 May 2026
From there, the Amerongen sailed east, plying colonial trade routes around Java.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 14 May 2026
No one has been plying his trade on Katella Avenue longer than Terry, and that’s shown through in his leadership by example, his support of his teammates and his production.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
However, in a preliminary list announced by the head coach this week — which previewed the names of players currently plying their trade in the Mexican league — a vacant spot was left among the goalkeepers specifically for players based abroad.
—German Fernández-Moores, Houston Chronicle, 1 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plying
Verb
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Italy’s national anti-mafia prosecutor, Giovanni Melillo, said the seizures form part of a broader effort to dismantle the Sicilian Mafia’s economic infrastructure and prevent it from rebuilding criminal networks capable of exerting global financial and social influence, including intimidation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
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Trump has been exerting growing pressure on Mexico, with questions looming over issues including human rights, national sovereignty and regional diplomacy.—
Dorany Pineda,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Brith, who is ahead and in charge, is taking as her guide the stream, which sparks in the sunlight, cutting a narrow channel through the hillside, weaving itself around rocks and tree trunks, appearing and disappearing, diving underground then springing up in unexpected places.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
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The latter can seem more like a game of dodgeball with bikes weaving in and out of your path.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
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The reforms would also require some facilities to assess the feasibility of using safer technologies or processes in their work, among other changes.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
-
Zeferjahn had struggled earlier in the season, when the Angels were using him for multiple innings.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Alex Edwards kneeled on the carpet to calm down Zuri Kafuko, 3, by twisting part of her hair back in place.—
William J. Ford,
Baltimore Sun,
25 May 2026
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Press straight down to cut the dough, without twisting the cutter, to keep the layers intact.—
Terrence Hayes,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Ohio’s exemption is fairly broad, applying not only to construction materials, but to the expensive equipment — such as server racks and cooling systems — used in data centers.—
Marc Levy,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
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Travelers who have spent the past several years scrutinizing where their food, clothing and home goods come from are now applying the same questions to their vacation memorabilia.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Trash and graffiti accumulated; a maintenance worker was reportedly chased off by a machete-wielding transient.—
Max Kutner,
HollywoodReporter,
7 June 2026
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When the Selma marchers faced down snarling dogs and baton-wielding police in 1965, the contrast between their passive resistance and the Jim Crow officials’ savagery echoed the caning of a century before.—
Rob Wolfe,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plying. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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