toys

verb

present tense third-person singular of toy
1
as in plays
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 flirts
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

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 toys Here, Matcha Milk toys the line between sweet and earthy, blending macadamia milk and vanilla with black tea and matcha accord. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toys
  1. plays
  2. flirts
  3. sports
Verb
  • How Fiber Impacts Sleep Fiber plays many important roles in health, such as regulating blood lipid levels, promoting regular bowel movements, and fueling the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut.
    — Jillian Kubala, Health, 7 July 2026
  • This Tom Holland isn’t the famous actor who plays Telemachus in Christopher Nolan’s new movie.
    — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
Definition of plays
Verb
  • Dishes are custom made in Italy and flown over, wine flirts between old world Italian wonders and bottles from local makers.
    — Kate Dingwall, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • From time to time the thermometer flirts with 70.
    — Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 7 May 2026
Definition of flirts
Verb
  • Super Heavy sports 33 Raptor engines at its business end, which produce nearly 20 million pounds of thrust at liftoff.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 2 July 2026
  • But good luck finding one that sports the right vibe — cool but not trying too hard.
    — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 30 June 2026
Definition of sports

Browse Nearby Words

toylike
toys
toys (with)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Toys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toys. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on toys

Nglish: Translation of toys for Spanish Speakers

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