toy 1 of 3

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 3

adjective

as in dwarf

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

toy

3 of 3

noun

as in miniature

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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
Whether paired with sneakers or bold heelsheels, the flare cut of these pants is playful enough to toy around with different shoe pairings. — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 6 May 2026 Trump has been a fierce Powell critic and toyed last year with the idea of firing him. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2026
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 Scene transitions show toy cities, just like those used on the legendary children’s show, only Lloyd’s story is unfolding in Manhattan, rather than Pittsburgh. — Rachel E. Greenspan, Time, 22 Nov. 2019
Noun
Children ran around barefoot, wielding toy guns, playing Free Syrian Army Versus Regime. — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 After all, why license its toy chest’s worth of IP, when Mattel could reap a part of the financial reward themselves? — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for toy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toy
  1. play
  2. flirt
  3. dwarf
  4. miniature
  5. small
  6. mini
  7. pocket
  8. dinky
Verb
  • All the more reason for leaders to play the generosity sweepstakes in ways that are advantageous to them.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The case has led to calls for tougher oversight of churches and other religious organizations in a country where religious faith plays a prominent role in public life.
    — Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of play
Verb
  • Her character has a romantic tension with Dennison, and despite plotting an affair, the pair only flirt and never act on it.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • After flirting with near-record heat in recent days, Kansas City will get a cool, gray taste of fall on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of flirt
Adjective
  • Bare-root fruit trees that produce fruit the fastest are typically dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 28 July 2026
  • Look for citrus varieties grafted onto dwarf or semi-dwarf rootstock so the citrus tree stays small and doesn’t need to be pruned or re-potted as often.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2026
Definition of dwarf
Noun
  • Access to materials such as Tough 1500 V2 already expands its usefulness beyond miniatures and decorative prints, opening up functional projects without requiring a professional system.
    — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Launched earlier this year by Stanford engineering graduate and former venture capitalist Madilyn Ontiveros Plumlee, Vero Studio specializes in the niche art form of bridal miniatures.
    — Ari Stark, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of miniature
Adjective
  • Comparing households aged 72 and older in 2022 with those aged 75 and older in 2025, Maggiulli calculated a smaller—but still substantial—21% increase.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The development could help make optical atomic clocks smaller and more suitable for use outside laboratories.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of small
Noun
  • Undoubtedly, the stiffest competition for the QN10 will come from the new Apple Mac mini.
    — Michael Justin Allen Sexton, PC Magazine, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The onetime mini-mogul will be in solitary for the immediate future at Allenwood as well, sources say.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of mini
Adjective
  • Even compact silhouettes like this carry-on backpack are a great option for storing more belongings, with its suitcase-like opening and multi-pocket interior that makes organization a walk in the park.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Large clutches, like those at Bottega Veneta and Chanel, and comfortable shoulder bags like the Miu Miu multi-pocket bag, also featured.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
Definition of pocket
Adjective
  • Stretching out a dinky tape measure that keeps shimmying or bending or snapping back into the roll.
    — Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 14 June 2026
  • Enmeshed in scandal, the former duke and duchess of York have practically vanished from public view – and so have the queen's dinky golden furballs.
    — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 7 June 2026
Definition of dinky

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 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on toy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about toy

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