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Showing results for decoy. Search instead for Decoys.
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.

Nicknamed "the Bone", the aircraft has advanced radar and GPS systems to help hit targets, and electronic jammers, radar warnings and a decoy system to protect it from enemies.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

I’ve always thought the latter has long served as a decoy: No matter how deplorable Homer Simpson might be, Peter Griffin will be worse.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 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

The plaintiffs before Boasberg clearly recognized that habeas relief was a dangerous decoy even before Monday’s filing.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2025

She would have to fight the ghosts massed at crossroads for the buns a few thoughtful citizens leave to decoy her away from village and home so that the ancestral spirits could feast unharassed.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston

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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