Decoy

/dɪˈkɔɪ/
Definition 1 of 3
Visual representation of "decoy"
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Strategic Deception

A decoy in this sense is part of a plan to mislead, often used in clever or strategic situations.

Illustration for Strategic Deception
The chess player's move was a decoy to lure his opponent into a mistake.
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Attention Shift

Decoys are meant to shift one's attention from the real target or action taking place.

Illustration for Attention Shift
In the movie, the flashy car was used as a decoy to shift the police's attention.
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Caution with Context

The term decoy may imply dishonesty or manipulation, so be careful with its connotation depending on the context.

Illustration for Caution with Context
Calling someone's argument a decoy can suggest they are being intentionally deceptive.
Visual representation of the word "Decoy"

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