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 toylike
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
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
Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Panic followed when the 10-month-old pup tried to rip the toy out of Lily's mouth, the Reddit post explained.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Dacus had been toying around with the ideas behind the song for a while: the beautiful minutiae of sharing a life with someone, and betting on love in the face of inevitable change.
—James Factora, Them, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for toy
Verb
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
Adjective
Thanks to Hobby Japan for sending over this toy and its option parts set for the purposes of this review.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Panic followed when the 10-month-old pup tried to rip the toy out of Lily's mouth, the Reddit post explained.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
The bill is the result of six years of studying and toying around the edges of PBM issues.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Dacus had been toying around with the ideas behind the song for a while: the beautiful minutiae of sharing a life with someone, and betting on love in the face of inevitable change.
—James Factora, Them, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for toy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toy
Verb
-
Almost two full years later, on the verge of making the postseason, the Padres returned to the ballpark that is home to one of baseball’s worst teams and continued to play like a team that seems bent on disappointing in its own spectacular way.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Sep. 2025
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Yet, Ruud just kept right on playing good defense — racing around Laver Cup’s black hardcourt — and somehow managing to return serves that reached 130 mph.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Designers Maxwell Osbourne and Dao-Yi Chow have been flirting with a brand relaunch, and what better time than fashion week?—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
13 Sep. 2025
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The conversations around the program will grow in volume if the Buffaloes flirt with a playoff berth or go on a lengthy losing streak.—
Sam Settleman,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Potted mums range from $5 for miniatures to $8 for regular-sized.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Sep. 2025
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Batch tabletop miniatures for a weekend campaign, produce cosplay armor sections that fit together cleanly, or prototype brackets and housings for clients with consistent results.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Other recent surveys have started to find small satellite galaxies orbiting isolated dwarf galaxies.—
Victoria Corless,
Space.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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The team also discovered two more new species of dwarf gecko: Lygodactylus arnei and Lygodactylus andavambato.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Looking for a free mini puzzle?—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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Slip dresses and pleated minis added a youthful, feminine energy, while the tailoring remained crisp and assertive–a nod to the brand’s legacy in professional womenswear.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This personal blender can whip up breakfast smoothies, sauces and dips, salsas, omelets, and more thanks to its small but mighty 250-watt power base and stainless steel cross blade.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
16 Sep. 2025
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Among its 14 plant oils are argan kernel and rice bran, which regulate sebum production and loosen dead skin cells, respectively—and, together, leave your pores looking significantly smaller and your skin significantly smoother.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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But when fans arrived at the festival site, they were greeted with little more than dinky tents, grounds that resembled a refugee camp, and cheese sandwiches.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
15 July 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Toy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toy. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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