English Dictionary
Definition of “ploy”
ploy (plɔɪ
)
Definitions
noun
- a manoeuvre or tactic in a game, conversation, etc; stratagem; gambit
- any business, job, hobby, etc, with which one is occupied ⇒
angling is his latest ploy
- mainly British a frolic, escapade, or practical joke
Word Origin
C18: originally Scot and northern English, perhaps from obsolete n sense of employ meaning an occupation
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
=
tactic,
move,
trick,
device,
game,
scheme,
manoeuvre,
dodge,
ruse,
gambit,
subterfuge,
stratagem,
contrivance,
wile,
Usage examples
Actually, I reckon his pathetic look is just a professional ploy.
West, Charles, Stage Fright (1993)But a senior Railways officer at Dhanbad dismisses this as a bccl ploy to recover as much coal as possible from the area.
India Today (1999)Its ostensible collaboration with the United States against terrorism is a contrived ploy to win U. S. support in its designs on Kashmir.
Globe and Mail (2003)Curbishley admitted afterwards that he started out with a three-man defence, feeling he finally had the personnel to justify such a ploy.
Independent (1998)Personally, I think she's too young and I believe it's another ploy to keep her away from me.
Anne Bennett, WALKING BACK TO HAPPINESS (2002)
