decoy

1 of 2

noun

1
hunting : a pond into which wildfowl are lured for capture
2
: someone or something used to lure or lead another into a trap
the commander of that sub … took us to be a decoyH. A. Chippendale
especially, hunting : an artificial bird used to attract live birds within shot
3
: someone or something used to draw attention away from another
had a decoy distract the guard

decoy

2 of 2

verb

decoyed; decoying; decoys

transitive verb

hunting
: to lure by or as if by a decoy : entice
decoying ducks to a pond
The undercover cop decoyed the fugitive into a trap.
Choose the Right Synonym for decoy

lure, entice, inveigle, decoy, tempt, seduce mean to lead astray from one's true course.

lure implies a drawing into danger, evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving.

lured naive investors with get-rich-quick schemes

entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means.

advertising designed to entice new customers

inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering.

fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice.

attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

tempt implies the presenting of an attraction so strong that it overcomes the restraints of conscience or better judgment.

tempted by the offer of money

seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises.

seduced by assurances of assistance

Examples of decoy in a Sentence

Noun He had a decoy distract the guard while he jumped over the fence. we set the decoy afloat in the marsh and from the blind waited for the ducks to arrive Verb tacky souvenir shops to which first-time tourists had been decoyed into spending their hard-earned money
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Aside from the boats and piles of decoys, bluebill fanatics will typically pack a familiar 12-gauge afield, with plans to fill it with quality 2 or 4 non-toxic shot. M.d. Johnson, Field & Stream, 8 Feb. 2024 If San Francisco can even use Samuel as a decoy, that creates issues. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2024 Wood ducks are also susceptible to spinning-wing decoys. Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 15 Feb. 2024 Video from Amphiprion ocellaris experiments from Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit at OIST Watch on Then, the team introduced small groups of three clownfish to various decoys, made from resin and painted with either zero, one, two or three stripes. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2024 Chris Conley Out there as a decoy with Samuel out, Conley came up with the longest play of the game-winning drive — a beautiful toe-tapping catch on the far sideline for 17 yards. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2024 What if an object perceived to be a mobile missile launcher is actually a realistic decoy or, worse, a civilian bus? David Zikusoka, Foreign Affairs, 2 Feb. 2024 Russian forces also use decoys and program missiles to change course during their flight to confuse air-defense crews. Marc Santora, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2024 Much of the reasoning behind a Season 2.0 version of decoys has to do with biology. T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, 27 Dec. 2023
Verb
Lesser and greater scaup both decoy extremely well and, if shown care in preparation, can rival some puddlers on the table. M.d. Johnson, Field & Stream, 8 Feb. 2024 Hunting Methods Though both fulvous and black-bellies will decoy into spreads and respond to calling, most whistling ducks are taken incidentally via pass shooting. M.d. Johnson, Field & Stream, 10 Jan. 2024 Hunters know teal as birds that are often easy to decoy, but speedy and difficult to shoot. Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 27 Dec. 2023 Those wishing to target buffleheads, or for that matter, canvasbacks or goldeneyes, should set a handful of drake bufflehead decoys off to one side of the spread. M.d. Johnson, Field & Stream, 30 Nov. 2023 Dove hunting is a matter of pass-shooting or of shooting decoying birds. Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 4 May 2023 Melendez had said retailers themselves often are not cited when decoy operations catch clerks selling tobacco to customers younger than 21. San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2023 The Gobbstopper combo consists of a jake decoy in quarter strut and a submissive hen decoy in breeding position. Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2021 Beckham’s biggest contributions in Sunday’s loss came when the football wasn’t coming his way, working as a run blocker and decoy on many of his 58 snaps. Tim Bielik, cleveland, 17 Oct. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decoy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

probably from Dutch de kooi, literally, the cage

First Known Use

Noun

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1648, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of decoy was in 1630

Dictionary Entries Near decoy

Cite this Entry

“Decoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decoy. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

decoy

1 of 2 noun
1
: something intended to lure into a trap
especially : an artificial bird used to attract live birds within shooting range
2
: a person used to lead another into a trap

decoy

2 of 2 verb
di-ˈkȯi,
ˈdē-ˌkȯi
: to attract by or as if by a decoy : entice

More from Merriam-Webster on decoy

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