PLYING Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

plying 1 of 2

verb (1)

present participle of ply

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

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plying

2 of 2

verb (2)

present participle of ply

as in weaving

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

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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 plying

Verb

By April 2026, the president's net economic approval rating was plying depths last seen under President Joe Biden amid the aftermath of the pandemic, when the country was facing high inflation and elevated unemployment. — Steve Liesman, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026 There is speculation, too, that Balenciaga, where creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli is plying his couture chops and returning the brand to its roots, might also be facing some changes. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 Waymos started plying Denver’s streets less than a month ago. — John Aguilar, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2026 While Ferran headed to Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, veteran Lewandowski is now plying his trade in the MLS with the Chicago Fire. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Perhaps the next target for cellphone usage should be in supermarkets where some shoppers unsuccessfully try to multitask while plying grocery aisles. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 Like the other pros plying this particular trade, Cooper was capable of evoking distressing scenes with an untroubled matter-of-factness. — John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026 In 2014, Andrew Tate began his pornographic webcamming empire, recruiting women by dating and plying them with gifts. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 22 July 2026 Hunte himself is a big draw; he's often reclined on the balcony of his wooden plantation house, plying guests with his own brand of rum—not for the faint of heart. — Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plying

Verb

Solid economic growth and steady consumer spending are also exerting upward pressure on prices, complicating the task of taming inflation, according to economists.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Bond yields in France, for example, ticked up to their highest levels since 2002 on Wednesday, exerting more pressure on government budgets.

— Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of exerting

Verb

Other toothbrushes have aimed to kill bacteria in a more direct, localized fashion by weaving antibacterial agents into their bristles.

— Mike McRae, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026
That decision also gave Al Mahmood an opportunity to root the film more firmly in the UAE, weaving local instruments, clothing and even songs playing with the names of different fish into the story.

— Essie Assibu, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of weaving

Verb

After the issue was identified, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office directed districts to pause electronic disbursements using BM Technologies and issue paper checks or other payment methods instead.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Its sweet, soft, umami-rich profile can shift the taste of a recipe, so Czerwony suggests using about half the usual amount of garlic and adjusting from there.

— Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of using

Verb

Raman accused Bass of twisting her words, but later apologized for invoking Gates’ name.

— David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
The woman denied the allegations, and Ross hit her in the chest several times and choked her, the report says, restricting her breathing by twisting the collar of her hoodie.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of twisting

Verb

Researchers in China found that repeatedly applying gentle pressure to the shinbones of elderly mice improved their strength, coordination, and performance on memory tests.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
Of course, running this kind of remote frame generation on a linear video is very different from applying it to a real-time interactive game.

— Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of applying

Verb

When the United States limits its own power, abiding by international norms, consulting allies and partners, and wielding its strength in pursuit of transcendent values, countries find American influence more palatable, which helps sustain it.

— David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2026
That consolidation has come under attack from consumer advocates and state and federal lawmakers for wielding too much control of the sector,leading to higher costs for patients.

— Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of wielding

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ply

plying

plying (with)

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“Plying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plying. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of plying

verb (1)

verb (2)

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