toy 1 of 2

verb

Definition of toynext
1
as in to play
to engage in activity for amusement the cat toyed with the mouse it had caught, batting it about

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to flirt
to show a sexual attraction for someone just for fun likes to toy with men whom she has no intention of actually dating

Synonyms & Similar Words

toy

2 of 2

adjective

as in toylike

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
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 The league has toyed around with realignment on several occasions in recent years. —Ian Mendes, The Athletic, 29 Apr. 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
  1. play
  2. flirt
  3. dwarf
  4. small
  5. pocket
  6. miniature
  7. dinky
  8. little
Verb
  • Engage Your Senses In a shared office environment, playing loud music or lighting a scented candle is frowned upon.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • My son Tal plays guitar, drums, bass, flutes, everything.
    — Gary Graff, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of play
Verb
  • The index, which sits at the heart of many investors’ 401(k) accounts, has been flirting with a drop of 20% from its record set less than two months ago.
    — Elaine Kurtenbach, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The market understands that Trump is way out over his skis on this, and is going to send him a message this week hammering that home (S&P flirting with bear market territory this morning).
    — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of flirt
Adjective
  • The Milky Way has numerous dwarf galaxy satellites of its own, for instance, the most famous of which are known as the Large Magellanic Cloud and the Small Magellanic Cloud.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Expect to see dwarf iris blooms in late February through March in the South.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of dwarf
Adjective
  • With any luck, a little digestive distress will be just a small trade-off for getting past your illness and feeling like yourself again.
    — Beth Krietsch, SELF, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Lee already had six permanent tattoos –– small ones easily hidden by clothing –– and thought this was a good opportunity to try out a more visible tattoo.
    — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of small
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
Definition of pocket
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
Definition of miniature
Adjective
  • The thermal imagery makes Travis Scott’s enormous blunt look like a dinky party horn.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 May 2024
  • 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
Definition of dinky
Adjective
  • There were little tiny water bubbles around each of them.
    — Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • 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
Definition of little

Phrases Containing toy

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toxins
toy
toyed
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Cite this Entry

“Toy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toy. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on toy

Nglish: Translation of toy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about toy

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