toy 1 of 3

verb

Definition of toynext
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

Relevance

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

toy

2 of 3

adjective

as in dwarf

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

toy

3 of 3

noun

as in miniature

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

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

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
On the heels of his success with Outer Banks, Lilah's father began to toy around with the idea of a show that details the origin story of a band, which would eventually turn into The Runarounds. —Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025 Nevertheless, he's repeatedly toyed openly about the idea of running again in 2028. —Joey Garrison, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
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
Lababu is the famous grinning collectible toy brand with a huge fandom among kids and adults. —Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026 The five-piece, brass-heavy band gets a workout when Bluey’s impossible-to-control toy Chattermax has a cameo. —Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for toy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toy
  1. play
  2. flirt
  3. dwarf
  4. miniature
  5. small
  6. mini
  7. pocket
  8. dinky
Verb
  • Jack Plummer, who is now playing for the United Football League’s Orlando Storm, spent the bulk of the 2024 season on the practice squad as a third arm.
    — Mike Kaye April 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Emma D'Arcy landed an Emmy nomination playing an older version of Rhaenyra later in Season 1 and stayed the lead in Season 2, though Alcock also reprised her role as a guest star.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of play
Verb
  • Saturday looks like the peak, with some eastern neighborhoods potentially flirting with 80 before the sea breeze starts pushing back in late.
    — Greg Porter, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
  • With the 2028 presidential election inching closer every day, Don Lemon is the latest public figure to flirt with running for office.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of flirt
Adjective
  • Amateur astronomers can squint into an eight-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and learn how to identify a dwarf galaxy from a planetary nebula.
    — Mark Johanson, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Note, however, that dwarf butterfly bushes, such as the Lo & Behold series, grow slowly and require little or no pruning; do not cut them back to ground level but only shape them gently as needed.
    — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of dwarf
Noun
  • The entire logic of the exhibition—with science and art, fresh names and familiar ones, lumped together—is here in miniature.
    — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Gonzalez explained that butterfly wings come in a dazzling variety of colors and patterns, which is created by miniature, overlapping scales on their wings.
    — Staff report, Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of miniature
Adjective
  • The cab’s dark interior seems to lure Rauschenberg in, but perhaps he was also drawn to the small round window, like a porthole, above the seat, which looks out at the distance behind the carriage.
    — Hilton Als, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Consider reshuffling your to-do list, because a small shift could save money and protect your energy.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of small
Noun
  • Instead, the concept is funded and run by HB Hospitality, which owns bars like El Patio/Con Safos and Jaguar Room in LoDo, and RiNo Country Club mini-golf bar.
    — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The 7,000 square foot mini soccer field sits near where the pickleball courts used to be and not far away from the FIFA World Cup countdown clock.
    — Nate Sylves, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of mini
Adjective
  • Large clutches, like those at Bottega Veneta and Chanel, and comfortable shoulder bags like the Miu Miu multi-pocket bag, also featured.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
  • 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
Definition of pocket
Adjective
  • The dinky port town of Antiparos, with a strip of cute shops, cafes, and unpretentious restaurants, is a ten-minute drive.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Also of note is the considerable size of the hotel’s rooms, with the standard ‘Deluxe King’ occupying an ample 460 sq ft, which seems positively palatial when compared to the dinky hotel rooms that are typical across much of Japan.
    — Stephen Kelly, TheWeek, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of dinky

Phrases Containing toy

Browse Nearby Words

toxins
toy
toyed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Toy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toy. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on toy

Nglish: Translation of toy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about toy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of verdant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Apr. 3

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds
See More

Popular

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
8-track-tapes
Good Old-Fashioned Quiz Can you name these antiquated items?
See All