toy with
verb
toyed with; toying with; toys with
1
: to think about (something) briefly and not very seriously
I toyed with the idea of moving to France but ended up staying here.
2
: to move or touch (something) with one's fingers often without thinking
She toyed with her hair while she talked on the phone.
3
: to deal with or control (someone or something) in a clever and usually unfair or selfish way
Do you really love me, or are you just toying with me?
Don't toy with my emotions.
Examples of toy with in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
He’s constitutionally barred from running again, yet constantly toys with the notion publicly.
—
Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Walmart has been toying with advanced tech for years.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 12 June 2026
Throw out any toys with broken parts or mildew.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
Taylor Swift is toying with her style.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for toy with
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Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Walmart has been toying with advanced tech for years.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 12 June 2026
Throw out any toys with broken parts or mildew.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
Taylor Swift is toying with her style.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for toy with
Cite this Entry
“Toy with.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toy%20with. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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