horseplay

horse·play | \ ˈhȯrs-ˌplā

How to pronounce horseplay (audio)

\

Definition of horseplay

: rough or boisterous play

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about horseplay

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of horseplay in a Sentence

The lamp got broken when the kids were engaging in a little horseplay. when he saw us spraying each other with the hose instead of washing the car, Dad yelled, “Cut out the horseplay!”

Recent Examples on the Web Officers arrived to find people listening to loud music inside and outside the house, and engaging in horseplay. — cleveland.com, "Two residents victims of spray paint vandals: University Heights police blotter," 10 Sep. 2019 The horseplay seems innocent and lighthearted, although there’s a brooding sense that actual violence might occur in the future. — Steven Litt, cleveland.com, "Gun rights explored in provocative ‘Well Armed Militias’ exhibit at Spaces," 15 Sep. 2019 While many view what happened at old Comiskey Park that night as horseplay run amok, other ascribe less benign sentiments to what transpired and what fueled it. — Phil Rosenthal, chicagotribune.com, "White Sox and Steve Dahl defend Disco Demolition T-shirt giveaway amid criticism: 'What happened?'," 12 June 2019 An announcer blares introductions happening off-camera—presumably far enough away from the Prince and Princess that their horseplay would go unnoticed. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Prince Charles Pranking Princess Anne Is the Best Thing You'll See Today," 8 Nov. 2018 Spanier, who did not take the stand in his own defense, has said Sandusky's attack on the boy, whose identity remains in dispute, was characterized to him as horseplay. — NBC News, "Ex-Penn State president Spanier, convicted over Sandusky complaint, loses appeal," 26 June 2018 Logan Melgar were wrestling at 4 a.m. when a fellow SEAL Adamcranston Matthew came in and joined in the horseplay. — NBC News, "Military investigating if two Marines played role in Green Beret's death," 10 May 2018 Amid the horseplay in this deranged horse opera, there’s also a poignant moment — part tribute, part torch-passing — in Act 2, when a large photo appears onstage of Larry Coen. — Don Aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, "It’s a wild, wild West in Landry’s ‘Brokelahomo!’," 2 May 2018 There are no details in the suit on what the boys were actually doing as part of that horseplay, but Simmons provided some clarification to the Statesman on Friday. — Katy Moeller, idahostatesman, "Ridgevue football player accused of sexual harassment in 'horseplay' incident sues school district," 27 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'horseplay.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about horseplay

Dictionary Entries near horseplay

Statistics for horseplay

Cite this Entry

“Horseplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horseplay. Accessed 29 May. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

assail

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

May 2020 Words of the Day Quiz

Which is a synonym of exiguous?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.