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toy

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb toy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of toy are coquet, dally, flirt, and trifle. While all these words mean "to deal with or act toward without serious purpose," toy implies acting without full attention or serious exertion of one's powers.

a political novice toying with great issues

When can coquet be used instead of toy?

While in some cases nearly identical to toy, coquet implies attracting interest or admiration without serious intention.

companies that coquet with environmentalism solely for public relations

When would dally be a good substitute for toy?

In some situations, the words dally and toy are roughly equivalent. However, dally suggests indulging in thoughts or plans merely as an amusement.

dallying with the idea of building a boat someday

In what contexts can flirt take the place of toy?

The words flirt and toy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, flirt implies an interest or attention that soon passes to another object.

flirted with one fashionable ism after another

When could trifle be used to replace toy?

The meanings of trifle and toy largely overlap; however, trifle may imply playfulness, unconcern, indulgent contempt.

to trifle with a lover's feelings

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of toy
Verb
But up the middle, the Dodgers could toy around with different combinations nd experiment with myriad ways to maximize production. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025 Donald Trump’s Take President-elect Donald Trump has at least toyed openly with the idea that violence could be, in addition to being part of the problem, part of the solution. Evan Clark, WWD, 22 Nov. 2024
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 Try Amazon’s own toy subscription service, which boasts a subscription for children aged 3 to 13. Popular Science, 11 Oct. 2019 See All Example Sentences for toy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toy
Verb
  • Sarah Snook, who played Shiv Roy on that HBO drama, was nominated (and went on to win!), following in the footsteps of her costars Jeremy Strong and Keiran Culkin.
    Melissa Locker, Time, 9 June 2025
  • Selected for Function Hazen came across Szostak’s idea while thinking about the origin of life—an issue that drew him in as a mineralogist, because chemical reactions taking place on minerals have long been suspected to have played a key role in getting life started.
    Philip Ball, Wired News, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • The Grove developer has been flirting with both a gubernatorial bid and another run at the Los Angeles mayor’s race but remains undecided.
    Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
  • Much older and experienced than a traditional expansion team, the Panthers flirted with the playoffs in their first two seasons before making it in their third.
    Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • Brooks investigates the same kind of phenomenon, but in the cores of dwarf galaxies.
    Stephen Clark – Jun 6, ArsTechnica, 6 June 2025
  • But bushier, usually dwarf varieties, will produce sunflowers throughout the growing season, from spring into late summer.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Farmers watered their crops less, and saw smaller harvests as a result.
    Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025
  • Yes, Georgia and Paul split this season as the blowback from the trial — and Paul's support of Proposition 38, disastrous for small businesses — imperiled his mayoral career.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • Built with water-resistant polyester, this spacious duffel has a dedicated shoe compartment, an end pocket for wet or dirty clothes, a multi-pocket compression panel for organization, and an interior divider curtain that can be removed to hold bulky clothes or outdoor gear.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The Vault by Vans x Nicole McLaughlin Collection includes special-edition versions of the iconic Vans Slip-On VP VR3 LX with adaptations—think canvas pockets and easy-carry heel straps—inspired by a classic multi-pocket garden tote and workwear bucket bag often used on construction job sites.
    Hollyanna McCollom, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2023
Adjective
  • The timepiece comes in a special gift box featuring a miniature green Healey car.
    Laia Farran Graves, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Exercise 4: Toe Yoga Don't worry, no miniature yoga mat required here.
    Andee Tagle, NPR, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • Her dinky dimensions are a small piece of Pearl’s story, though a large part of Semler’s.
    Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2025
  • There's a wind-deflecting screen, which would only make sense if this thing's designed to gallop at north of 50 miles an hour (80 km/h), and behind that, a dinky little full-color dash.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • If pop culture is to be believed, nothing good has ever come from a couple dashing off to a cute little cabin in the woods.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
  • An award-winning toy creator and a doctor have teamed up to launch a new company that manufactures products designed to make health care less scary for little kids, and less stressful for parents.
    Joan Verdon, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Toy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toy. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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