toy 1 of 3

toy

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adjective

toy

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noun

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
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
Adjective
This year, though dimmed a bit by rain, crowds still filled the midway and kids still tried for prizes and carried toy trumpets and balloons — trophies of carnival wins. Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025 When your parents asked you to clean your room as a kid, that probably meant picking clothes up off the floor and putting toys away. Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 19 July 2025
Noun
So Maurice has toyed around with his forward lines throughout the season. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025 But up the middle, the Dodgers could toy around with different combinations nd experiment with myriad ways to maximize production. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for toy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toy
Verb
  • Malakian explains the role Ozzfest played in elevating System of a Down’s profile.
    Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 July 2025
  • The Royals will play a split doubleheader against the Guardians on Saturday afternoon.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2025
Verb
  • The just as playful music video shows both artists annoyed with each other (but also flirting) during a TV interview.
    Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 25 July 2025
  • Rae flirts with the lens, before the clip cuts to Sombr driving a classic car.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • Sunscreen is another item that makes sense to buy in miniature.
    Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2025
  • Or an assortment of your favorite Disney characters, rendered in miniature, adorning the Adilette Clog 2.0?
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • The black hole might have once been at the core of a dwarf galaxy that was whittled down — unwrapped like a Christmas present — by the gravitational tides of the larger NGC 6099.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 July 2025
  • The idea that the black hole lies at the center of a dwarf galaxy can be dismissed almost out of hand since dwarf galaxies typically don’t form black holes that big.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • Camila Mendes appeared at the Instagram x Benito Skinner Chateau Dinner in a black mini dress by MIMCHIK and black-and-white polka dot pumps.
    Catherine Santino, People.com, 22 July 2025
  • Desktop Deals Apple has outdone itself with its most recent Apple Mac mini micro-desktop.
    Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Kitchen by Cooking with Que is open to the public Fridays and Saturdays as a small café. Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: [email protected].
    Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 25 July 2025
  • Bringing bold wallpaper into a small space can be a fun way to add a bit of a ‘wow’ factor, and that is precisely what Laws did in this 40-square-foot half-bath.
    Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • Built with water-resistant polyester, this spacious duffel has a dedicated shoe compartment, an end pocket for wet or dirty clothes, a multi-pocket compression panel for organization, and an interior divider curtain that can be removed to hold bulky clothes or outdoor gear.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The Vault by Vans x Nicole McLaughlin Collection includes special-edition versions of the iconic Vans Slip-On VP VR3 LX with adaptations—think canvas pockets and easy-carry heel straps—inspired by a classic multi-pocket garden tote and workwear bucket bag often used on construction job sites.
    Hollyanna McCollom, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2023
Adjective
  • But when fans arrived at the festival site, they were greeted with little more than dinky tents, grounds that resembled a refugee camp, and cheese sandwiches.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2025
  • Her dinky dimensions are a small piece of Pearl’s story, though a large part of Semler’s.
    Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Toy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toy. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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