ploy

noun

ˈplȯi 

1

: escapade, frolic

2

a

: a tactic intended to embarrass or frustrate an opponent

b

: a devised or contrived move : stratagem

a ploy to get her to open the door

—Robert B. Parker

Synonyms

• artifice
• device
• dodge
• fetch
• flimflam
• gambit
• gimmick
• jig
• juggle
• knack
• play
• ruse
• scheme
• shenanigan
• sleight
• stratagem
• trick
• wile

Examples of ploy in a Sentence

Her story about being sick is only a ploy to get you to give her money.

asking me to take her shopping turned out to be a ploy to get me to the surprise party

Recent Examples on the Web

The debate went on to the lawsuit being a ploy in his contract renegotiation for his next deal. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 17 Jan. 2025

But with that comes the reality that the bullet train is only our latest ploy to encourage urban sprawl in a state already strained beyond its ability to provide water, power and safety to its residents. —U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025

Therefore, the baddies will do various sneaky ploys of wording their requests to slip under the radar of the language-level circuit breakers. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

Litton apparently Litton set up a similar ploy at another small Seventh-day Adventist school, this one in Red Bluff about 70 miles northwest of Oroville, Honea said. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably from employ

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ploy

• counter-ploy
• marketing ploy

Kids Definition

ploy

noun

ˈplȯi 

: a trick designed to embarrass or upset an opponent