noun

ploy

ploy, tactic, ruse

His compliment was just a ploy to get a discount.

His compliment was just a ploy to get a discount.

It was a clever ploy to distract the guard.

It was a clever ploy to distract the guard.

a ploy ((to-inf)) a ploy to (do sth.) It was a ploy to distract the guard.

Synonyms: trick, ruse, stratagem, tactic

Of uncertain origin, but possibly related to 'employ' in an archaic sense.

A 'ploy' is something you emPLOY to trick someone. It also sounds like 'play'—a clever move in a game.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.