1
as in plays
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 flirts
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of toys
Here, Matcha Milk toys the line between sweet and earthy, blending macadamia milk and vanilla with black tea and matcha accord.
—
Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toys
Verb
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Alegría directed half of the show’s eight episodes; Urrejola plays the key character of Blanca.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
4 May 2026
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The addition of the guest play-callers, Close and women’s water polo coach Adam Wright, led to a variety of trick plays throughout the game.—
Sean Campbell,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
Verb
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At a lawn party devoted to the game of cornhole, Clark flirts with Floyd’s wife and the two soon begin an affair, meeting for afternoon assignations at the local Quality Garden Suites.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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There is a genre-bending western; two stories blend speculative details with realism to portray women planning their escapes; three stories spec-ify the only-daughter experience; and one story flirts with where to begin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This flirty option sports a plunging V-neck framed by puff sleeves, plus an oversized self-tie bow that adjusts the waist.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
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Zendaya sports a full fit from her latest brand collaboration, On, down the streets of New York City on April 30.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toys. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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