plying 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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plying

2 of 2

verb (2)

present participle of ply

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
The 6-foot-2 goalkeeper has been plying his craft professionally for nearly two decades, having bounced around to nine different club teams in the process. Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plying
Verb
  • El Niño shifts global weather patterns A naturally occurring climate cycle, El Niño is already exerting effects along the equator, said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, during his June 17 WeatherWest podcast.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 25 June 2026
  • Even the idea of billionaires exerting outsize influence on creative decisions isn’t new.
    Josef Adalian, Vulture, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Around 30 Maple Park Middle School students spent the last few weeks of the summer term weaving English language arts and STEM skills together to research the international soccer teams with base camps in Kansas City and create animatronics based on their findings.
    Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026
  • Some thirty years after weaving Replica, Schultz set to work on a rug based on the 9040 processor made at the Shiprock plant.
    Lua Vollaard, ARTnews.com, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Twice last month, people in South Korea taking an exam to assess their English language skills - the results of which are often used to make hiring decisions - were caught using smart glasses.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 27 June 2026
  • This horoscope was generated automatically using information from Sanctuary.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • Andrade landed her double-twisting Yurchenko vault cleanly with a small step, earning a massive score from the judges.
    Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
  • Scientists have discovered a new way to control quantum light sources by twisting atomically thin layers of a material known as hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), a breakthrough that could help bring quantum technologies closer to practical use.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Neel said many community members have made preparations in anticipation of the ruling, including applying for asylum.
    Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026
  • Woman applying estrogen patch during hormone therapy.
    Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Nolan and the cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, wielding heavy IMAX cameras, shot their picture across the Mediterranean and beyond, in caves, castles, beaches, black-sand wastes, and open water.
    David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026
  • Elsewhere, a megaphone-wielding leader herded dozens of black cats in the style of artist Gary Baseman into some semblance of order.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Plying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plying. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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