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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.

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

Days before Gómez’s transfer in August, special forces left the prison in a convoy of armored vehicles headed to Mexico City as a decoy, passing through areas where Gómez commanded loyal underlings.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 3, 2025

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

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2025

From a breakdown on the left touchline, a narrow forward charge proved to be a decoy with Finn Russell instead throwing a long pass to Blair Kinghorn, giving up territory, but opening up opportunities.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2025

They were lugging the five heavy books the ranger had given Neel, and Baba was also carrying their decoy masks and his long, sturdy stick.

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins

Vocabulary lists containing decoy

Tangerine

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Unit 1, Words to Know

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