PLIED Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

plied 1 of 2

verb (1)

past tense of ply

as in exerted

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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plied

2 of 2

verb (2)

past tense of ply

as in twisted

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 plied

Verb

Much as Las Vegas casinos plied high rollers with gourmet meals and lavish entertainment, sports gaming apps are now rewarding VIP bettors with luxury suite access, autographed jerseys and unique fan experiences. — Jake Rosenwasser, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026 The partnership between two outsiders clawing their way in, joined by an equally canny journalist played by Claire Foy, comes to shape Fleet Street, the London thoroughfare where scribblers plied their trade, in Lamb’s and Murdoch’s images. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 The lakes are medieval peat diggings that were flooded by rising seas in the 14th century, and long plied by cargo boats known as wherries. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 9 Aug. 2026 There were no global superstars, and only a couple of players at genuinely elite clubs like Benfica and Villarreal; most plied their trade well outside football’s spotlight. — André Martin, Fortune, 16 July 2026 Tsietsi sent one of them to the front as a lookout, while the others eagerly plied him with questions about his activities. — Literary Hub, 16 June 2026 As Levenson makes clear, these three arguments have been plied for as long as vaccines have. — Diana Gitig, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2026 In Whitman’s time, 70 different steam ferries plied Gotham’s waters. — Julia Press, Bloomberg, 22 May 2026 Davis plied his trade in Reno, Nevada, at a time when the American West was developing into a manufacturing hub at breakneck speed. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plied

Verb

Serially deadpan comedian-filmmaker Fielder, meanwhile, has previously exerted pop-cultural thrall as the figurehead of HBO’s The Rehearsal and Comedy Central’s Nathan for You.

— Chris Lee, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026
While a filter holds the foam back, the gas passes through another channel into the eyedrop chamber, where the pressure exerted by it pushes the medication down a final microfluidic channel that leads directly into the corner of the patient's eye.

— Ben Coxworth October 23, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of exerted

Verb

Robed guests chill out in lounge chairs that look out onto an interior courtyard garden full of vegetation, including a pine tree twisted to resemble a giant bonsai.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Unlike streaming metrics, which can be twisted and touted in any which way, box office dollars are uniformly reported — meaning there’s no denying a hit (or a miss).

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of twisted

Verb

His creator, an unnamed basket-weaver (Peter Dinklage), braided him as a mate for a lonely virgin, a fisherwoman (Olivia Colman) who stomps around her rustic village smelling like sushi and tossing her head back in an Eliza Doolittle guffaw.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Many had long, black hair braided with beads and strung with bright parrot feathers.

— Daniel Barnum, Longreads, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of braided

Verb

The gorgeous and tasty caramel and cream cheese frosting looks the best when applied with a small offset spatula to give it that swirly effect on the cake.

— Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026
While traditionally only achievable in real life through plastic surgery or extreme makeup, it can be applied instantly online using beauty filters.

— Chloe Veltman, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of applied

Verb

Alaska’s core constituency is composed of Natives, fishermen, rural legislators, and unions, with some chamber-of-commerce types mixed in.

— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
According to López-Alt, Shimbo, and Sakai, the best substitute for mirin is sake mixed with a sweetener.

— Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of mixed

Verb

The shade that looks most natural may depend on skin tone, application and how much the dots are blended.

— Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
In her first collaboration with a Brazilian artist, Goebel blended the DCC’s crisp formations with funk, samba, hip-hop, twerking, and the voguing of Brazil’s ballroom scene.

— Raymond Braun, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of blended

Verb

Eller took a long pass from Aaron Ekblad just inside the blue line, weaved down the right side and ripped a wrist shot from the circle past Chicago goaltender Spencer Knight.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
The Chiefs had no answer for Smith-Njigba, who bobbed and weaved his way through the defense for nine catches, 150 yards and a touchdown.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026