plies 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of ply
as in exerts
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

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plies

2 of 2

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of ply

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 plies
Verb
Canada will host the FIFA World Cup in 2026, and the country’s biggest soccer star, Alphonso Davies, currently plies his trade in the Bundesliga, playing for powerhouse Bayern Munich. — Manuel Veth, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025 Set Nefru, which plies the Nile. — Nicola Chilton, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plies
Verb
  • With the veil thinning, our intuition exerts an immense pull on our emotional state.
    — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Among the elements biology has to work with, oxygen exerts the strongest pull.
    — Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Elastic edging keeps the machine-washable covers snug across a range of couch shapes, and the collection comes in several colors, weaves and textures to coordinate with most rooms.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Bar manager Giovanni Allario weaves unexpected twists into classics, like the Pesto Martini with vodka, white balsamic vinegar, and homemade pesto and a Gremolada Negroni with notes of lemon and parsley.
    — Jaclyn DeGiorgio, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Other experiments will process LiDAR data, which uses laser measurements to map surrounding terrain.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • No one uses cash, everything is on an app, everything can be bought at lighting speed.
    — Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • For the collection, the mill applies a special cleaning process to cotton that removes 80 percent of impurities.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The California Department of Education clarified that a waiver the district received only applies to the 80% staffing rule and does not extend the three-year spending deadline, meaning unexpended funds revert to the state.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Plies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plies. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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