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Decoyed: meaning, definitions and examples

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decoyed

 

[ dɪˈkɔɪd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

to lure away

Decoyed refers to the act of luring someone or something away from a desired path or location, often using a deceptive tactic or false appearance. It is frequently used in contexts involving hunting, military strategy, or even psychological manipulation.

Synonyms

beguiled, enticed, lured, misled, trapped

Examples of usage

  • The hunter decoyed the deer with a fake call.
  • They decoyed the enemy troops into a trap.
  • The con artist decoyed her victims with a fake identity.
  • Birdwatchers often use decoyed birds to attract real ones.

Translations

Translations of the word "decoyed" in other languages:

🇵🇹 enganado

🇮🇳 फँसाया

🇩🇪 hereingelegt

🇮🇩 tertipu

🇺🇦 заплутаний

🇵🇱 zwiedziony

🇯🇵 おびき寄せられた

🇫🇷 déjoué

🇪🇸 engañado

🇹🇷 tuzağa düşürülmüş

🇰🇷 속은

🇸🇦 خُدِعَ

🇨🇿 ochozený

🇸🇰 oklamaný

🇨🇳 诱骗

🇸🇮 zavajan

🇮🇸 sveikinn

🇰🇿 алданған

🇬🇪 დაბმული

🇦🇿 aldadılmış

🇲🇽 engañado

Etymology

The word 'decoyed' is derived from the late Middle English term 'decoy,' which comes from the earlier term 'de coyer,' meaning 'to lead away.' This term was influenced by the Dutch word 'de koek,' which means 'the cake,' related to a bait used in hunting. The sense of the term evolved from specifically referring to baiting birds or animals in hunting to its broader application in various contexts, especially in military and psychological strategies. The usage of the term has expanded over the years and is now frequently used to describe situations where someone is misled or led away from their initial intention through deceptive means.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,362 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.