1
as in to play
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 to flirt
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
as in dwarf
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of toy
ABC News,
11 May 2026
Whether paired with sneakers or bold heelsheels, the flare cut of these pants is playful enough to toy around with different shoe pairings.
—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
6 May 2026
Micolette Davis,
Chron,
19 Nov. 2020
Scene transitions show toy cities, just like those used on the legendary children’s show, only Lloyd’s story is unfolding in Manhattan, rather than Pittsburgh.
—
Rachel E. Greenspan,
Time,
22 Nov. 2019
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 July 2026
Available in pink or blue, the toy—which attaches to crib bars or can be situated near your child’s sleeping space—features a relaxing array of sounds, lights, and music, along with gentle motion, to encourage your darling to doze.
—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for toy
Verb
Four years later — and after the Broncos had toyed unsuccessfully with finding his replacement — Morton teamed with a new coach, his former Cowboys teammate Dan Reeves.
—
ABC News,
11 May 2026
Whether paired with sneakers or bold heelsheels, the flare cut of these pants is playful enough to toy around with different shoe pairings.
—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
6 May 2026
Adjective
That's why the Chron Shopping team has picked out some of our favorite non-toy gifts for kids to keep children engaged, active, and happy.
—
Micolette Davis,
Chron,
19 Nov. 2020
Scene transitions show toy cities, just like those used on the legendary children’s show, only Lloyd’s story is unfolding in Manhattan, rather than Pittsburgh.
—
Rachel E. Greenspan,
Time,
22 Nov. 2019
Noun
No dedicated dog menu but ask about the Pawty Pack – a squeaky toy and pup-cup.
—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 July 2026
Available in pink or blue, the toy—which attaches to crib bars or can be situated near your child’s sleeping space—features a relaxing array of sounds, lights, and music, along with gentle motion, to encourage your darling to doze.
—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for toy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toy
Verb
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Win prizes playing interactive games, network with artists and entrepreneurs and enjoy signature drinks and bar snacks available for purchase.
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Men leaders can pay attention to and be mindful of who in the workplace may be playing more of an emotional support role that falls outside their job description.
Verb
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The remainder of the match played out much the same as the rest with Paraguay playing a brusque style of physical soccer, which at times flirted with unsportsmanlike play that went unpunished by the referee.
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This was offered as a way of talking about the Spanish capital on the whole, but it has been widely interpreted as flirting with 15-time Champions League winners Los Blancos.
Adjective
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These semi-dwarf shrubs have a nice, rounded form that maxes out at 4 or 5 feet wide and tall.
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Additionally, new facilities such as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, are expected to discover more dwarf galaxies for researchers to study.
Noun
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This was the Davis method in miniature — an executive willing to override conventional industry wisdom about what an artist should release, proved right by the market.
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For Gerber, the miniature serves as more than a nostalgic attraction.
Adjective
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Name the worry out loud, then choose a small boundary that protects your energy, such as turning off notifications during a demanding task.
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People milled about clutching small rainbow flags from the human rights organization Outright International.
Noun
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No land purchase, no village-wide permitting fight, no waiting twelve to eighteen months for a mini-grid to come online.
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Equal parts functional and fashionable, this linen mini skort offers comfortable coverage for the office, hotel bar, and everywhere in between.
Adjective
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Large clutches, like those at Bottega Veneta and Chanel, and comfortable shoulder bags like the Miu Miu multi-pocket bag, also featured.
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My favorite and most-used is the Patagonia Baggies Brimmer ($50), which looks like a safari hat and should probably be matched with one of those tan, multi-pocket vests.
Adjective
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Enmeshed in scandal, the former duke and duchess of York have practically vanished from public view – and so have the queen's dinky golden furballs.
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And pushing ‘go’ is what this dinky little Honda seems to be about.
Cite this Entry
“Toy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toy. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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