toy 1 of 2

toy

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adjective

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
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 Donald Trump’s Take President-elect Donald Trump has at least toyed openly with the idea that violence could be, in addition to being part of the problem, part of the solution. Evan Clark, WWD, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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 See All Example Sentences for toy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toy
Verb
  • The trio finished with a 4-1 lead in shots and 10 hits between them while playing predominantly against the Stars’ second and fourth lines.
    Murat Ates, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Drops were an issue, play strength due to smaller frame.
    Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Many White Lotus fans got an increasingly queasy feeling watching the siblings flirt with the boundaries of what is appropriate throughout the first half of Season 3.
    Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025
  • After suffering two embarrassing losses to bottom-four teams each conference, the Knicks flirted with losing a third, blowing a substantial lead against the 15-win Wizards before pulling away with a 122-103 victory at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Except the eventual choice to fully animate the characters and cast them with non-dwarf actors — save for one, Grumpy, voiced by Martin Klebba — created a different problem.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Recommended for pear and persimmon trees, as well as dwarf and semi-dwarf apple trees.
    Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In 2022, a consortium of private retirement-plan providers announced a collaboration to boost the portability of small retirement accounts.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The space consists of two levels—one for dancing and one for dining at small cocktail tables.
    Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 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
  • Google on Tuesday showed off prototype glasses that combine a miniature display with the company's Gemini AI assistant.
    Ina Fried, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Crowded Next to Other Plants Most tomato plants, except for patio tomatoes and miniature varieties, need at least 3 feet of horizontal growing space.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • There's a wind-deflecting screen, which would only make sense if this thing's designed to gallop at north of 50 miles an hour (80 km/h), and behind that, a dinky little full-color dash.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Small storage space in the K4 is on the paltry side, as the center console is pretty dinky and the door pockets shallow.
    Kristin Shaw, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Gone are most of the toggle switches (and the little safety protrusions that accompanied them) on the dashboard, with the exception of one for changing between drive, reverse, and neutral, plus another to switch between drive modes.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025
  • For starters, the clear formula comes in a cute little bottle that looks more like a serum than tanning drops.
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Toy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toy. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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