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
In another clip, the actress is joined poolside by Matthew McConaughey as the duo discuss whether or not football is a ploy to sell food.
—
Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
In the late 1800s, the Mountain House Hotel owners created a manmade version of Firefall by pushing a bonfire off Glacier Point’s edge in a ploy to attract tourism.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 18 Jan. 2026
Powell said the probe is a ploy to pressure him to lower rates.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
There are numerous other bold characters getting tangled up in new ploys aimed at giving them a step up in a world that wants to keep them tamped down.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
In the late 1800s, the Mountain House Hotel owners created a manmade version of Firefall by pushing a bonfire off Glacier Point’s edge in a ploy to attract tourism.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 18 Jan. 2026
Powell said the probe is a ploy to pressure him to lower rates.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
There are numerous other bold characters getting tangled up in new ploys aimed at giving them a step up in a world that wants to keep them tamped down.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ploy
Noun
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Because telling Starfleet that the Furies are part Lynar, and particularly susceptible to high sonic frequencies, is just an ingenious ruse.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders said at trial that the custody exchange on the day of the shooting was a ruse for Payne to talk his way back into Lane's life.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Real estate brokers say many hedge funders, private equity chiefs and venture capital investors are also joining traditional Wall Street bankers in the buying spree.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
9 Feb. 2026
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Google’s parent company is going on a borrowing spree to fund its AI ambitions — including through a rare 100-year bond.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Those affected by the scheme can visit Agridime’s website to see how the company is handling investors’ claims.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Feb. 2026
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Jane Doe alleged that in 2013, Epstein’s associates directed her to open a Bank of America account as part of a scheme to deceive immigration officials.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Seven of the 12 finalists fell in their first run in snowy conditions, which made landing tricks more of a challenge.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
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Van Der Beek, twisting his remarkable life into a piece of comedy, pulled the same kind of trick.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ploy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ploy. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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