ply 1 of 3

Definition of plynext
as in to exert
to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively she plied all of her charm and intelligence to convince everyone to volunteer as tutors

Synonyms & Similar Words

ply

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to weave
to cause to twine about one another two single yarns were plied together to get the fabric that smooth, firm feel

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 ply
Noun
The 38-year-old living legend plies his trade for Miami FC and hopes to lead Argentina to a repeat as World Cup champion in 2026. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 26 May 2026 Most percale sheets are made with single-ply threads, which provides its signature crisp feel, and the pima cotton make up has longer fibers than regular cotton for a gentler feel on sensitive skin. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2026
Verb
While Ferran headed to Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, veteran Lewandowski is now plying his trade in the MLS with the Chicago Fire. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Increases in the cost of living caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are further making solar panels—as well as electric boda bodas, the motorcycle taxis that ply East Africa’s city streets—more attractive to everyday people. — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ply
Noun
  • At Bank of America, Gopalkrishnan said the company evaluates AI implementations across 16 risk dimensions, including privacy, bias, workforce implications and intellectual property.
    — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Without the financial incentive markets provide, social pressure and community biases play more of a role in influencing opinion.
    — Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • With broader crypto legislation stalling in Congress, regulators are exerting their existing powers to address individual parts of the market, said Jeff Ko, chief analyst at blockchain infrastructure service provider ViaBTC.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Within this region are two major neural pathways, known as the direct and indirect pathways, which appear to exert opposing influences over which actions are expressed.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The village's pedestrian-only strip weaves through small shops, restaurants, and boutiques, and there's a Naval Museum housed in a 19th-century captain’s mansion that highlights the island’s maritime history—and is worth a visit.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The Oilers didn’t have the same time and space to weave through traffic and choose their spots at will.
    — Janson Duench, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Or perhaps the increase reflects an institutional tendency toward over-enforcement.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • This combines the annual seasonal pattern, the four-year election cycle and the decadal tendencies (years that end in 6).
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The setback sparked wide speculation that Sánchez would move forward the general election and use the momentum on the housing issue against his right-wing opponents.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Although the problem warrants a systemic fix, the best short-term solution is for hospitals to create more nuanced documentation tools, and for clinicians to exercise judgment when using them.
    — Leah Pierson, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The Justice Department wanted to preserve the possibility of bringing the case again, but In his ruling Thursday, Judge Todd Edelman dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning Hearn cannot be charged again over the same allegations.
    — Jon Haworth, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The memo demanded that the charges be dismissed without prejudice—meaning that they could later be reinstated.
    — Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Haynie may have been responding to reports specific to Syracuse, but his response applies to all colleges.
    — Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Because the workers had troubles, that's why this settlement has been applied.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Sometimes, the company wields similar ingredients and frontiers differently across brands to make an impact.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • To be fair, a genre that’s given us everything from brooding, sparkling emo kids who play baseball; a stake-wielding teen slayer who can’t quit the bad boy; and eccentric sidekicks who feast on bugs is ripe with material for mockery.
    — Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ply. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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