as in bait
something used to attract animals to a hook or into a trap
we set the decoy afloat in the marsh and from the blind waited for the ducks to arrive
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to lure
to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage
tacky souvenir shops to which first-time tourists had been decoyed into spending their hard-earned money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of decoy
Bryan West,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
They will be conducted by integrated teams of sensors, shooters, decoys, electronic attack, cyber capabilities, autonomous systems, and human decision-makers.
—
David A. Deptula,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Alex Robinson,
Outdoor Life,
9 Oct. 2025
Osit looks for answers in multiple places, interviewing law enforcement officials and district attorneys, academics, and former Perverted Justice decoys from the show.
—
Jason Newman,
Rolling Stone,
20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decoy
Noun
Even if Madison Square Garden ultimately proves to be a decoy, using a public venue would also invite questions afterward about the resources devoted to the effort.
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Bryan West,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
They will be conducted by integrated teams of sensors, shooters, decoys, electronic attack, cyber capabilities, autonomous systems, and human decision-makers.
—
David A. Deptula,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Verb
What these guys really care about is decoying ducks in and seeing the show.
—
Alex Robinson,
Outdoor Life,
9 Oct. 2025
Osit looks for answers in multiple places, interviewing law enforcement officials and district attorneys, academics, and former Perverted Justice decoys from the show.
—
Jason Newman,
Rolling Stone,
20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decoy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decoy
Noun
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Those interviews suggest that donors seeking to celebrate America fell for a bait-and-switch that, if true, could have violated various criminal statutes.
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Work your bait back right along the rocks, and be ready for a hot bite—literally.
Verb
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Next, the instructor tries luring the child back into the pool with a sparkly pink rubber duck, which does the trick.
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If the Lakers had only presented an offer sheet to the Jazz to lure Kessler away instead of working on a trade, Utah would have had until July 7 to match the offer.
Verb
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Now the game’s future is looking decidedly brighter and many more players of the original may be tempted to give the sequel a second chance.
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If the thermostat is working properly but the air conditioner is struggling, don't be tempted to turn down the temperature even more.
Verb
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That book is a revenge fantasy about the former art school professor who seduced her, discarded her and destroyed her confidence as a painter.
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The writer thinks that the person seducing the main character is just some flotsam, hardly worth a second look.
Verb
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Some supplements and chews are offered in different flavors to better entice your dog.
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That subscription data, entertainment, and safety service offers complementary base services, but owners are enticed to upgrade for premium services.
Verb
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Since Mary Grace’s death, her parents have poured their energy into persuading lawmakers to make camps safer by banning cabins in active flood plains, mandating 24-7 weather monitoring and requiring rigorous annual evacuation training.
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Marketing and communications professionals rely on language to inform, persuade and connect with audiences.
Cite this Entry
“Decoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decoy. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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