plying

VERB

use, work at

Synonyms

STRONG

dispense employ exercise exert follow function handle maneuver manipulate practice pursue swing throw utilize wield

WEAK

carry on put out

Antonyms

STRONG

disregard ignore leave alone misuse neglect receive shun stop

WEAK

be lazy idle

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.

See Examples For:

plying

French striker Benzema has been plying his trade in Saudi Arabia since leaving Real Madrid in 2023, spending three years with Al Ittihad.

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026

While Messi has spent his entire life playing for the world’s grandest teams—Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Argentina—Vozinha had only turned professional at 25, plying his trade in Angola, Moldova and Cyprus.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026

Owners of several vehicles plying the streets rejoiced with symbolic honks and screams, most of them either waving the flag or hanging samples by their car windows.

From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2026

He’s a retired wrestler who comes back into her life after his other family kicks him to the curb, and reasons that they’re both entertainers plying their craft to make ends meet.

From Salon ● May 4, 2026

Still, the man had adult muscles and was plying the oars with determination.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman