Decoyed: meaning, definitions and examples

🦢
Add to dictionary

decoyed

 

[dɪˈkɔɪd ]

Definition

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term comes from the French word 'décoyer,' which means to lure or entice.
  • Originally, 'decoy' referred to a method of capturing waterfowl using a fake bird to attract real ones.

Psychology

  • People often use decoys in strategies to mislead their opponents, exploiting cognitive biases.
  • The concept of a decoy can be related to how humans respond to false signals, impacting decision-making processes.

Military Tactics

  • In military history, decoys have been essential for feints and ambushes, drawing enemy forces away from real positions.
  • The use of inflatable tanks and fake camps in warfare has successfully confused opponents.

Pop Culture

  • In movies and literature, the motif of decoying characters is common, often leading to plot twists where the intended target is revealed.
  • Popular games frequently use decoys as tactics, allowing players to trick opponents and gain an advantage.

Ecology

  • Decoying is also found in nature; certain animals use mimicking behaviors to trick predators and protect themselves.
  • Some species of plants use deceptive appearances to attract pollinators that are misled by their false visuals.

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

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.