as in horsing around
to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior
high-spirited cousins who cut up at every family gathering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cutting up
Scalping the lawn can assist doveweed's spread by cutting up pieces that root all over the lawn.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, as all of this is happening, Meredith is cutting up with the other ladies at the spa, without a care in the world.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
Ford is planning on cutting up to 1,000 roles in electric-vehicle production in Germany.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Proposition 50 would turn back the clock of progress, cutting up our neighborhoods for political gain and silencing the very voices that fought hardest for fairness.
—Bernadette Suarez, Oc Register, 15 Sep. 2025
Born Drew Desbordes, Druski, 30, is a long way from the kid who spent his time at the dinner table cutting up.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025
The large surface makes cutting up fruits, veggies and meat easy.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, as all of this is happening, Meredith is cutting up with the other ladies at the spa, without a care in the world.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
Ford is planning on cutting up to 1,000 roles in electric-vehicle production in Germany.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Proposition 50 would turn back the clock of progress, cutting up our neighborhoods for political gain and silencing the very voices that fought hardest for fairness.
—Bernadette Suarez, Oc Register, 15 Sep. 2025
Born Drew Desbordes, Druski, 30, is a long way from the kid who spent his time at the dinner table cutting up.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025
The large surface makes cutting up fruits, veggies and meat easy.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cutting up
Verb
-
Bevel was horsing around with the Reverend James Orange and Andy Young in the courtyard under King's balcony, according to Orange.—
Gail Sheehy,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
-
In April 2020, Iglesias shared a video of him horsing around with Lucy and Nicholas as the pair attempted to climb on his back for a ride.—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The capsule’s toilet is already acting up.—
Marcia Dunn,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The black flies are not the only troublesome creature acting up during the unseasonably warm weather.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The fandom has been showing off their outfit prep on social media in anticipation of his set.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Social media lit up on Wednesday when users noticed an Instagram reel posted by the Minnesota balloon company showing off its collaboration with the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx.—
Jackie Powell,
NBC news,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Zeus did not approve of his daughter fooling around with this mortal roughneck hunter and put out a hit on Orion.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The transition was rough for Ansari, who wasn’t fluent in English and often got in trouble for fooling around in school.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cutting up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting%20up. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
