decoy

nounbait, trap
verbbait, entrap

Synonyms for decoy

noun bait, trap

Antonyms for decoy

Word Origin & History

1610s, perhaps from Dutch kooi "cage," used of a pond surrounded by nets, into which wildfowl were lured for capture, from West Germanic *kaiwa, from Latin cavea "cage." The first element is possibly the Dutch definite article de, mistaken in English as part of the word. But decoy, of unknown origin, was the name of a card game popular c.1550-1650, and this may have influenced the form of the word.

Example Sentences for decoy

About sundown he took in his decoy Hen, as Owls were abundant, and went back to his camp.

I want you, besides, to act as a decoy in a case I have already told you of.

And in this trap of Iblis was decoy enough for a poor mouse like me.

The comparison of the mind to a block of wax, or to a decoy of birds, is found wanting.

One of the Indians then stationed himself as a decoy, and howled like a wolf.

I am to decoy the young thing away by making her believe as I'm her husband, eh?

“That is the sort of decoy they use in our country,” Jethro said.

I durst not follow them; for it might be a feint to decoy me from my post.

No, he has put forward as the decoy my colleague, Croffut,—perhaps you know him?

These are placed on the ground, by a hedge, and near them a decoy goldfinch in a cage.

decoy

Synonyms for decoy

Antonyms for decoy

allure

ambush

ambushed

ambushes

booby trap

decoy

Synonyms for decoy

Antonyms for decoy

More words related to decoy

Trojan horse

allure

ambush

ambushed

ambushes

booby trap