PLYING Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

plying 1 of 2

verb (1)

present participle of ply

as in exerting

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

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plying

2 of 2

verb (2)

present participle of ply

as in weaving

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

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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 plying

Verb

There is speculation, too, that Balenciaga, where creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli is plying his couture chops and returning the brand to its roots, might also be facing some changes. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 Waymos started plying Denver’s streets less than a month ago. — John Aguilar, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2026 Now, Iran said a pair of oil tankers hit naval mines while plying the Strait of Hormuz. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026 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 Perhaps the next target for cellphone usage should be in supermarkets where some shoppers unsuccessfully try to multitask while plying grocery aisles. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 Like the other pros plying this particular trade, Cooper was capable of evoking distressing scenes with an untroubled matter-of-factness. — John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026 In 2014, Andrew Tate began his pornographic webcamming empire, recruiting women by dating and plying them with gifts. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 22 July 2026 Hunte himself is a big draw; he's often reclined on the balcony of his wooden plantation house, plying guests with his own brand of rum—not for the faint of heart. — Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plying

Verb

Subsequent trials in the late 1960s and ’70s eventually proved its effectiveness, and the drug ultimately was recognized for exerting strong antipsychotic effects with virtually no adverse impacts on motor function.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of exerting

Verb

With a bigger budget from Netflix, Sy and Leterrier leaned further into the show’s superhero-like qualities, expanding its universe beyond the novels of Maurice Leblanc and weaving some futuristic elements.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
By weaving these stories together, Cuarón used the epic’s themes of exile and separation to provide a fresh take on Hodgson Burnett’s classic novel.

— Sohini Sarah Pillai, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of weaving

Verb

With loans, there is an expectation that the campaign — using donor funds — will pay the candidate back, said Shanna Ports, a senior legal counsel for the nonpartisan watchdog group Campaign Legal Center.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Learning from human demonstrations offers another way to develop skills by using examples of how a task should be performed.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of using

Verb

For each strip, pinch the ends, then gently stretch while twisting until 8 inches long.

— Hali Bey Ramdene, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2026
The three-time NBA MVP stood behind a gaggle of teammates squished up against the CU bench, quietly surveying the madness from the 15-yard line while twisting the cap of his bottled water.

— Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of twisting

Verb

Available pre-mixed in tubs, thinset is the standard material for applying—and reapplying—tile to walls or floors.

— Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 15 Oct. 2026
Only one parent called to vent about the university’s response to the lawsuit, but her son was still planning on applying early decision.

— Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of applying

Verb

Yet Abrams still won’t kvetch about being crammed into a tiny whale-stomach set with a camera crew, while a half-dozen crew members surrounding the practical gut, wielding a gimbal, tossed him around like a wet rag doll.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
However iconic Jason Voorhees may be, real ones respect his machete-wielding mother, Pamela.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of wielding

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ply

plying

plying (with)

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“Plying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plying. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of plying

verb (1)

verb (2)

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