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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ploy
Of course someone who works as a bridesmaid for hire would go for a fake-dating ploy!
—
Katherine Polcari,
Southern Living,
19 June 2026
In what prosecutors believe was a ploy to keep her boyfriend Wade Griffin, Parker pretended to be pregnant with their child.
—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
18 June 2026
Or is every bit of positivity on TikTok and X a ploy to dispel the bad press about World Cup ticketing and transit, and replace it with Americana vibes and excitement for official soccer jerseys?
—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
15 June 2026
Lyman Ward played Ferris' dad, whose busy work schedule kept him conveniently distracted from his teenage son's ploys.
—
Emma Urdangen,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Katherine Polcari,
Southern Living,
19 June 2026
In what prosecutors believe was a ploy to keep her boyfriend Wade Griffin, Parker pretended to be pregnant with their child.
—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
18 June 2026
Or is every bit of positivity on TikTok and X a ploy to dispel the bad press about World Cup ticketing and transit, and replace it with Americana vibes and excitement for official soccer jerseys?
—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
15 June 2026
Lyman Ward played Ferris' dad, whose busy work schedule kept him conveniently distracted from his teenage son's ploys.
—
Emma Urdangen,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ploy
Noun
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At face value, a $10 million rental is an exorbitant fee for a ruse.
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Such offenders will use all different ruses to distract the victim, such as claiming to be utility workers, tree trimmers, or handymen working on neighbors' houses.
Noun
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My records show that pike are liable to begin a feeding spree anytime during the day.
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After a week’s worth of trade fireworks—Giannis Antetokounmpo, LaMelo Ball and Kawhi Leonard are all on the move, among others—teams didn’t rush into a free-agent spending spree.
Noun
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The Empire State Building frequently switches up its lighting scheme to commemorate special events throughout the year.
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The other company whose shares were manipulated in the scheme, E-Waste, had an even higher market cap at some point, despite being nothing more than a shell company.
Noun
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The trick is to widen your view deliberately, one angle at a time, because each new angle surfaces buyers the last one missed.
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Now, as heat waves wash over cities from London to Palm Springs, people are embracing this tried-and-true trick with the Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad.
Cite this Entry
“Ploy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ploy. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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