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ploy

Noun

pl: ploys

This term describes a calculated move intended to manipulate a situation or a person. It carries a strong connotation of artifice and strategic deception, suggesting that the action is not genuine but rather a tool used to achieve a specific, often selfish, goal. While similar to a strategy, a ploy is typically smaller in scale and more focused on trickery or evasion. It is frequently used in contexts involving politics, marketing, or interpersonal conflict where one party seeks to gain an upper hand through cleverness rather than direct force.

Meanings

Noun

"The sudden price drop was just a ploy to attract more customers during the holiday sale."

Noun

A strategic maneuver used to deceive or outwit an opponent, often in a political or competitive context.

"The candidate used a clever ploy to avoid answering the journalist's difficult question."

Last Updated: June 14, 2026•Report an Error