1
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
asking me to take her shopping turned out to be a ploy to get me to the surprise party
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2
as in spree
a time or instance of carefree fun
wanted one grand ploy through Europe before settling down and raising a family
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Recent Examples of ploy
Another possibility is that ASI plays what is known as the artificial stupidity ploy, see my analysis at the link here.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
With a countdown clock in the corner of the screen to let folks know when the game would resume, the ploy proved a hit, with the show garnering about 28.9 million viewers.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
And the targeting of a Democratic city in a Democratic state was, according to the vice president, an intentional ploy to make a political lesson out of Los Angeles.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
As part of his ploy, Pham sent an initial delivery of 20 samples of electronic devices that supposedly needed repairs.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
With a countdown clock in the corner of the screen to let folks know when the game would resume, the ploy proved a hit, with the show garnering about 28.9 million viewers.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
And the targeting of a Democratic city in a Democratic state was, according to the vice president, an intentional ploy to make a political lesson out of Los Angeles.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
As part of his ploy, Pham sent an initial delivery of 20 samples of electronic devices that supposedly needed repairs.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ploy
Noun
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No, because the medic — work requirements are a ruse.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
13 July 2025
-
Ben Affleck's Argo is a real film about the ruse of making a fake film to help rescue real-life hostages in Iran.—
EW Staff Published,
EW.com,
4 July 2025
Noun
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Retail traders are on a buying spree that can keep equities marching to record highs.—
Fred Imbert,
CNBC,
23 July 2025
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That wound up turning into a chaotic nine-day spree of surprise shows in people’s yards, following a pop-up show on the campus of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
23 July 2025
Noun
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Singer took in more than $25 million from his clients as part of the scheme, paid bribes totaling more than $7 million and used more than $15 million for his own benefit, according to prosecutors.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
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The scheme requires drivers to pay a fee—based on the time and duration of their visit and their vehicle type—to enter the lower part of Manhattan, from the southern end of Central Park to the city’s financial district.—
Carlton Reid,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Noun
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From fashion tips and tricks to tween and teen hair and nails, our back-to-school style guide has a little bit of everything.—
Kimberly Zapata,
Parents,
29 July 2025
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Over the years, Johnson has learned some tricks to help acquaint himself with new colleagues, from researching the background of management or coaches or looking up teammates on Madden to know a bit about their game.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ploy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ploy. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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