1
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
asking me to take her shopping turned out to be a ploy to get me to the surprise party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in spree
a time or instance of carefree fun
wanted one grand ploy through Europe before settling down and raising a family
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 ploy
There are numerous other bold characters getting tangled up in new ploys aimed at giving them a step up in a world that wants to keep them tamped down.
—
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
After the first Roundtable, Survivor stalwart Rob Cesternino — perhaps clued in by Candiace’s absurd conga line ploy to get people out of the kitchen — sniffed out that a murder in plain sight could be happening.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
Arsenal, keeping Bukayo Saka high, use a similar ploy, and Slot’s men also pressed similarly in their title-winning season.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2025
The Dodgers' interest in Skubal could be a ploy to generate better offers for the Tigers.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ploy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ploy
Noun
-
Federal agents are currently roaming cities under the ruse of going after murderers and rapists but are instead pulling anyone who doesn't fit their idea of what an American looks like out of cars, homes and schools using thuggish methods.—
-
The filmmakers also planned to bookend the story with the reminiscences of the older Kirk and Spock — a cunning ruse to get the headline power of Shatner and Nimoy in the movie.—
Noun
-
During 2021, life science investment peaked and speculative developers went on a building spree, but today much of that space sits empty.—
-
The 37-second spree was the fastest three goals in Penguins history and the fastest three allowed by the Oilers.—
Noun
-
According to the indictment, Cuellar devised the scheme to operate a for-profit business with resources from the county sheriff's office without reimbursing the county.—
-
Greenlee hid the scheme from her employer by concealing bank statements, despite several requests for them from the winery’s accountant, and changing the email address associated with the bank account, according to the district attorney’s office.—
Noun
-
The trick is to choose a nude shade that compliments your skin tone and apply a top coat so glossy and reflective your nails almost appear see-through.—
-
But the trick becomes doing it over and over again, in a way that preserves arm health.—
Cite this Entry
“Ploy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ploy. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
