TOY Synonyms: 226 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

toy 1 of 2

verb

Definition of toy next

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

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 2

adjective

as in toylike

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

In recent seasons, the fashion industry has toyed between the chunky combat and the second skin; the western-inspired and the equestrian; the reimagined welly and the distressed biker—we’ve even witnessed the resurgence of the Chelsea boot thanks to Jonathan Anderson at Loewe. —

Ciarra Lorren Zatorski, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2024 Much of this collection toyed between office-appropriate garments such as trousers, silken dresses, and strong outerwear–these arrivals were juxtaposed with colorful sweater sets and also frilly textures seen on skirts, coats and beyond. —

Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 23 Sep. 2024

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 Try Amazon’s own toy subscription service, which boasts a subscription for children aged 3 to 13. —

Popular Science, 11 Oct. 2019 See all Example Sentences for toy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for toy

Verb

One of the greatest of all time to play the position, one of the greatest players of all time.

— Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic, 28 Jan. 2025
More recently, Jovovich played the villainous Blood Queen in the 2019 Hellboy reboot.

— Danny Horn, EW.com, 27 Jan. 2025