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
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
Launch is planned for July 2028, and Dragonfly will cruise for six years, plying the empty vastness between our two worlds.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2026
Chinese robotaxis are plying the streets of cities like Guangzhou, Beijing, and Shanghai.
—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
But the court also upheld the pre-trial detention of a hotel worker and a waiter at a local restaurant who were accused of plying him with cocaine.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 4 Mar. 2026
But Ryan Mendes, a journeyman currently plying his trade in Turkey’s second division, will be the man who leads out the second smallest nation to feature in a World Cup finals when Cape Verde play European heavyweights Spain in their opening game.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
Launch is planned for July 2028, and Dragonfly will cruise for six years, plying the empty vastness between our two worlds.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2026
Chinese robotaxis are plying the streets of cities like Guangzhou, Beijing, and Shanghai.
—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
But the court also upheld the pre-trial detention of a hotel worker and a waiter at a local restaurant who were accused of plying him with cocaine.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 4 Mar. 2026
But Ryan Mendes, a journeyman currently plying his trade in Turkey’s second division, will be the man who leads out the second smallest nation to feature in a World Cup finals when Cape Verde play European heavyweights Spain in their opening game.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plying
Verb
-
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims that the leader is lucid and exerting total control over the country that his office commands.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
1 May 2026
-
For years the owner, now 66, has watched tape, done his own player evaluations and sent observations and suggestions to DeCosta, mostly about players who might be available in later rounds — without exerting any actual decision-making power.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For an outdoor wedding, get that fairytale feel by weaving fresh greenery sprigs into the braid.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
5 May 2026
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The other drops deep to facilitate and dictate, weaving himself into the very fabric of Simeone’s build-up.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
Install it too low, and your knees will be in your face when using the commode.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
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But in 2003, it was considered too degraded to be capable of producing a match using methods available at the time.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Hundreds of thousands of deliveries, all landing on his front leg while twisting his torso, had taken a toll on his right hip that three surgeries could not repair.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
-
Gutierrez recommended twisting the barrel adjuster next to the brake handles counter-clockwise and tightening the neighboring stopper bolt, which will increase tension with the tire’s brake cable.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
Verb
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In closing, it should be mentioned that just as colchicine treatment results in seedless watermelons, mini-melons may also be a consequence of applying colchicine to watermelon seedlings, followed by a breeding process similar to that described above.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
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As an additional step, Holm likes to quickly cleanse her eye area to get rid of any leftover mascara or liner before applying fresh makeup.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Weekend nights, Cleotilde Juárez Ramírez commands this patch of sidewalk, wielding a comal the size of a satellite dish over a brazier.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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Tariffs have been central to Trump's economic policy, with the president wielding the levies as a weapon to push for new trade deals.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plying. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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