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toy

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb toy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of toy are coquet, dally, flirt, and trifle. While all these words mean "to deal with or act toward without serious purpose," toy implies acting without full attention or serious exertion of one's powers.

a political novice toying with great issues

When can coquet be used instead of toy?

While in some cases nearly identical to toy, coquet implies attracting interest or admiration without serious intention.

companies that coquet with environmentalism solely for public relations

When would dally be a good substitute for toy?

In some situations, the words dally and toy are roughly equivalent. However, dally suggests indulging in thoughts or plans merely as an amusement.

dallying with the idea of building a boat someday

In what contexts can flirt take the place of toy?

The words flirt and toy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, flirt implies an interest or attention that soon passes to another object.

flirted with one fashionable ism after another

When could trifle be used to replace toy?

The meanings of trifle and toy largely overlap; however, trifle may imply playfulness, unconcern, indulgent contempt.

to trifle with a lover's feelings

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
Verb
But up the middle, the Dodgers could toy around with different combinations nd experiment with myriad ways to maximize production. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025 Donald Trump’s Take President-elect Donald Trump has at least toyed openly with the idea that violence could be, in addition to being part of the problem, part of the solution. Evan Clark, WWD, 22 Nov. 2024
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 Try Amazon’s own toy subscription service, which boasts a subscription for children aged 3 to 13. Popular Science, 11 Oct. 2019 See All Example Sentences for toy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toy
Verb
  • While physicians don’t have a definitive answer as to why heart failure typically causes cognitive decline, the following factors may play a role: Changes to the heart.
    Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 16 May 2025
  • In his new Max series premiering Thursday, Duster, Holloway plays an Arizona getaway driver in the early 1970s.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Jayson Tatum flirted with a triple-double (22 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, two steals) and went 5-for-9 from three after scuffling in Games 1 and 2.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
  • Paddack flirted with a perfect game as the Giants lost to the Minnesota Twins, 3-1, on Friday night at Target Field, outdueling Jordan Hicks by limiting San Francisco’s offense to one run over 7 1/3 innings with six strikeouts.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • Incredibly, Mu Cas was likely formed in a dwarf galaxy that became part of our Milky Way even before the disk of our own galaxy formed.
    Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • What’s your favorite backyard cut flower? Container gardens A sunny balcony, patio or porch is the perfect spot to grow smaller, dwarf varieties of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, etc. in containers.
    Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead, Atkinson took up golf for the first time and renewed his connection to scientific research, not the least of which was how a small white ball repeatedly avoids a hole in the ground.
    Barbara Bry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2025
  • The Court of International Trade previously rejected the small businesses' request to temporarily pause the tariffs while their lawsuit went forward, but then quickly scheduled Tuesday’s court hearing to decide whether to rule against the tariffs or impose a longer-term pause.
    Dietrich Knauth, USA Today, 14 May 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
  • And in many of Pemberton’s pieces, miniature renderings of his previous works can be found on the walls of his subjects’ homes.
    Karla Marie Sanford, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
  • The Private Villa Collection portfolio has sleek estates that go up to a whopping 13 bedrooms, almost like miniature hotels.
    Kathryn Romeyn, AFAR Media, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • There's a wind-deflecting screen, which would only make sense if this thing's designed to gallop at north of 50 miles an hour (80 km/h), and behind that, a dinky little full-color dash.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Small storage space in the K4 is on the paltry side, as the center console is pretty dinky and the door pockets shallow.
    Kristin Shaw, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The musical features a scene about little Sarah making her joke about Jeffrey’s death and no one laughing.
    Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 18 May 2025
  • When Carter was little, his mother always included him in her life, as Anderson told PEOPLE in 2016.
    Julie Tremaine, People.com, 18 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Toy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toy. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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