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Definitions

decoy

[dee-koi, dih-koi, dih-koi] / ˈdi kɔɪ, dɪˈkɔɪ, dɪˈkɔɪ /
NOUN
bait, trap
Synonyms
STRONG
allurement attraction beard blind booster camouflage catch chicane chicanery come-on deception enticement facade fake front imitation inducement lure nark plant pretense shill snare stoolie temptation trick trickery
WEAK
drawing card ensnarement inveiglement seducement sitting duck stool pigeon
Antonyms
STRONG
discouragement frankness honesty openness original reality repulsion truth truthfulness
VERB
bait, entrap
Synonyms
STRONG
allure con deceive delude ensnare entice fascinate inveigle lure mislead mousetrap seduce shill steer tempt toll tout trap wile
WEAK
egg on ensorcell lead on lead up garden path rope in suck in
Antonyms
STRONG
be honest discourage disenchant disgust dissuade let go release repel repulse turn off

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

These steps help reduce returns fraud when consumers return a similar-looking decoy item, said Sobie.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

CS2 acts as a decoy, drawing alpha-synuclein away from ClpP and preventing it from harming the cell's energy systems.

From Science Daily • Jan. 20, 2026

Lawrence has shown he can be that threat but also a decoy runner.

From BBC • Nov. 16, 2025

Several times he was used as a decoy, opening the door for receiver Harrison Carter to show his stuff.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 15, 2025

But even they didn’t know that the truck was a decoy.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

Vocabulary lists containing decoy

Tangerine

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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

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Unit 1, Words to Know

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