ploy

American  

[ploi] / plɔɪ /

noun

1. a maneuver or stratagem, as in conversation, to gain the advantage.

   Synonyms:

   gambit, wile, subterfuge, ruse, tactic

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verb (used with object)

1. Military Archaic. to move (troops) from a line into a column.

verb (used without object)

1. Military Archaic. to move from a line into a column.

ploy British  

/ plɔɪ /

noun

1. a manoeuvre or tactic in a game, conversation, etc; stratagem; gambit

2. any business, job, hobby, etc, with which one is occupied

   angling is his latest ploy

3. a frolic, escapade, or practical joke

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Other Word Forms

• counterploy noun

Etymology

Origin of ploy

1475–85; earlier ploye to bend < Middle French ployer ( French plier ) < Latin plicāre to fold, ply ²; deploy

Example Sentences

I am especially intrigued by China’s repeat of its rare-earth ploy.

From MarketWatch

They saw the heavy charges levelled against him as a typical ploy to get people to sign up.

From BBC

A clever ploy at first, the idea quickly turns into a nightmare primed for uncomfortable comedy.

From Los Angeles Times

That stunt is also one of TV’s grandest examples of why such ploys can backfire.

From Salon

It’s all been some ploy to get me up on stage to do a couple minutes.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• device
• maneuver
• ruse
• scheme
• stratagem
• subterfuge
• tactic