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
Relevance
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 toylike
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 toy
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
Trisha Easto, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
When a mysterious toy company seeks to profit off the turtles’ new hero status, the brothers follow the clues to New Jersey and make a shocking discovery.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for toy
Verb
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
Adjective
Sign up for a 6- or 12-month BarkBox subscription and get one free toy in every delivery for the entirety of your plan.
—Trisha Easto, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
When a mysterious toy company seeks to profit off the turtles’ new hero status, the brothers follow the clues to New Jersey and make a shocking discovery.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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
See All Example Sentences for toy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toy
Verb
-
Kirk played a pivotal role in helping Republicans close the gap among young voters in 2024.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The Astros are now one game behind the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians, with two games to play.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At home, Netanyahu openly flirts with annexing large swaths of the West Bank.—
Firas Maksad,
Time,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Powell doesn’t just mean that stock prices are flirting with record highs.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Potted mums range from $5 for miniatures to $8 for regular-sized.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Batch tabletop miniatures for a weekend campaign, produce cosplay armor sections that fit together cleanly, or prototype brackets and housings for clients with consistent results.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Astronomers hunt these rogue black holes in dwarf galaxies because, when compared to large galaxies, their smaller masses and simpler evolutionary history preserve more clues about the early growth of black holes.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The shrub grows 6 to 15 feet tall; there are dwarf, medium-sized, and tall varieties.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Here's what to knowLooking for a free mini puzzle?—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Travel sizes or mini sets make for inexpensive options that still feel intentional.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Out-of-state travel that year, though, saw a small decrease compared to 2023.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Ohio State University, which enrolls the most international students in Ohio, reported a 37% drop in first-year international students and a slightly smaller number of total international students this year.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
The Vault by Vans x Nicole McLaughlin Collection includes special-edition versions of the iconic Vans Slip-On VP VR3 LX with adaptations—think canvas pockets and easy-carry heel straps—inspired by a classic multi-pocket garden tote and workwear bucket bag often used on construction job sites.—
Hollyanna McCollom,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Mar. 2023
Adjective
-
But when fans arrived at the festival site, they were greeted with little more than dinky tents, grounds that resembled a refugee camp, and cheese sandwiches.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
15 July 2025
-
Her dinky dimensions are a small piece of Pearl’s story, though a large part of Semler’s.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Toy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toy. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share