Decoy
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈdiːkɔɪ/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Decoy is a noun meaning A person or object meant to lure somebody into danger.
Meaning
A person or object meant to lure somebody into danger.
More Meanings
- A real or fake animal used by hunters to lure game.
- Deceptive military device used to draw enemy attention or fire away from a more important target.
- An assembly of hooped or netted corridors into which wild ducks may be enticed (originally by tame ducks) and trapped.
- (transitive) To lead into danger by artifice; to lure into a net or snare; to entrap.
- (intransitive) To act as, or use, a decoy.
Example Sentences
to decoy troops into an ambush; to decoy ducks into a net
E'en while fashion's brightest arts decoy, / The heart, distrusting, asks if this be joy.
As they were being decoyed, the rescue team carried the hostage and quietly slipped away.
2002, Robotech: Battlecry – Guide and Walkthrough Just every 5 seconds or so shoot out a decoy near the Cats Eye and the enemies will aim for that instead of the Cats Eye.
Word Forms
- decoys
- decoying
- decoyed
Synonyms for decoy
Depending on context, synonyms include bait, lure.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include lure, bait, diversion, lie, stunt, trick.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.