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Showing results for decoy. Search instead for de-coys.
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.

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

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

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

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.