1
as in to play
to engage in activity for amusement
the cat toyed with the mouse it had caught, batting it about
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to flirt
to show a sexual attraction for someone just for fun
likes to toy with men whom she has no intention of actually dating
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in dwarf
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of toy
Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 26 July 2025
The bill is the result of six years of studying and toying around the edges of PBM issues.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Micolette Davis, Chron, 19 Nov. 2020
Scene transitions show toy cities, just like those used on the legendary children’s show, only Lloyd’s story is unfolding in Manhattan, rather than Pittsburgh.
—Rachel E. Greenspan, Time, 22 Nov. 2019
New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
Toy sets Hatchimals come in a variety of toy sets.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for toy
Verb
Chadha has been toying around with the prospect of a follow-up feature or television drama for two years, encouraged by the phenomenal increase in worldwide support for women’s football.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 26 July 2025
The bill is the result of six years of studying and toying around the edges of PBM issues.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Adjective
That's why the Chron Shopping team has picked out some of our favorite non-toy gifts for kids to keep children engaged, active, and happy.
—Micolette Davis, Chron, 19 Nov. 2020
Scene transitions show toy cities, just like those used on the legendary children’s show, only Lloyd’s story is unfolding in Manhattan, rather than Pittsburgh.
—Rachel E. Greenspan, Time, 22 Nov. 2019
Noun
So the dog couldn't actually see the toy when its name was assigned.
—New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
Toy sets Hatchimals come in a variety of toy sets.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for toy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toy
Verb
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Peat fit in well with Arizona’s veteran lineup, as the freshman didn’t force the issue and played within the offense.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Jan. 2026
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Guys were playing hard, everybody on that drive was doing their job, and getting guys down on the ground.—
Mike Kaye
Updated January 11,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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During one table read, Telfer orchestrated a plan to have Cusack sit beside him and share a script, flirting throughout the night.—
Emily Krauser,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
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Following a 9-4 season and Alamo Bowl appearance, Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders briefly flirted with potentially coaching the Dallas Cowboys during the offseason.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Satsuma semi-dwarf trees (Citrus unshiu) are ideal for container gardening due to their compact size and high fruit production.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
2 Jan. 2026
-
Recently, the Hubble Space Telescope captured an image of a dwarf galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The museum is packed with photographs, miniatures, costumes, and displays from over a century of circus tradition.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
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One of the museum’s permanent exhibits is a miniature of the Paramount lot in the 1930s, in which the barn is central, and one of the anniversary exhibits showcases period photos and equipment of its days as a gym.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The founders argue that automation should be accessible to smaller operators, including neighborhood bars and private event spaces.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
-
There can be 30 minutes of small waves before a sneaker wave strikes.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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There's 9-hole mini-golf, virtual reality, an escape room and a carnival with arcade-style games and an interactive mystery to solve.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
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Predator’s success takes the box office out of its October mini-slump.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Large clutches, like those at Bottega Veneta and Chanel, and comfortable shoulder bags like the Miu Miu multi-pocket bag, also featured.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
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Built with water-resistant polyester, this spacious duffel has a dedicated shoe compartment, an end pocket for wet or dirty clothes, a multi-pocket compression panel for organization, and an interior divider curtain that can be removed to hold bulky clothes or outdoor gear.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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So much more than the lightweight, dinky pieces that are basically glorified dorm fridges, Gougette’s appliances create a miniature wine cave in the kitchen, controlling temperature, humidity, and light.—
Oset Babür-Winter,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Nov. 2025
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Staring across the Hudson, the young architect imagined a helicopter lifting a trailer from a dinky New Jersey development and placing it on top of a building somewhere in Manhattan.—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Toy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toy. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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