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
Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 26 July 2025
The bill is the result of six years of studying and toying around the edges of PBM issues.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 9 Apr. 2025
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
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2026
While my husband and I were welcomed with Champagne, our Australian shepherd was greeted with Fiji water, treats, and a plush toy.
—Cameron Sperance, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for toy
Verb
Chadha has been toying around with the prospect of a follow-up feature or television drama for two years, encouraged by the phenomenal increase in worldwide support for women’s football.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 26 July 2025
The bill is the result of six years of studying and toying around the edges of PBM issues.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 9 Apr. 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
Labels on toy bins help kids understand where items belong and make cleanup more manageable.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2026
While my husband and I were welcomed with Champagne, our Australian shepherd was greeted with Fiji water, treats, and a plush toy.
—Cameron Sperance, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for toy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toy
Verb
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Before playing in the last four games, Reaves had missed the previous 19 with his calf injury.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Maldonado invited Jaquez to play, and after losing, Jaquez bought Maldonado drinks and returned to his friend group, according to the affidavit.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Then their subject starts to flirt with the idea of disengaging and moving to a like-minded nudist community, even relocating for a few days to test the new setup out.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Some participants go home with a new connection, and others flirt a little and then buy some books, Clark Delgado says.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Behind the vail of stability is that blast furnace engine driving the climate and marshaling powers which, when released, dwarf human capacities.—
Adam Frank,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The key is to choose a dwarf tree variety and a well-draining, roomy pot, and to take a few precautions to ensure your potted tree thrives.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There are no digital doubles in that sequence, but real stunt performers aboard a ship that’s not a miniature but a massive structure that moves thanks to a giant gimbal.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Place these miniatures under the broiler with some cheese to sack any doubts that this is an ordinary sandwich.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Caudle told The Associated Press in a recent interview that his vision is to deploy smaller, newer ships when possible instead of consistently turning to huge aircraft carriers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The small edit stood out for its playful party spirit and the brand was instantly associated to a sense of fun and maximalism unusual in the Scandinavian fashion scene.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Jean shorts, relaxed long jeans, terry cloth mini shorts, tube tops and tanks with crochet and beading details are part of the women’s assortment.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Such observations would have confirmed the comets' demise and also shed light on whether smaller pieces of their shattered nuclei would keep orbiting the sun as mini-comets.—
Kiona N. Smith,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2026
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
Adjective
-
This is not a dinky smart projector that streams content over Wi-Fi to a spare wall or big screen.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The Wave for 2, which made its debut at this year’s Florida RV Supershow, may be Westfalia America’s most accessible model, but don’t mistake it for a dinky van short on capability.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toy. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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