fools around

verb

present tense third-person singular of fool around
1
as in horses around
to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior quit fooling around on the jungle gym, or you'll get hurt

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in plays
to spend time in aimless activity we fooled around outdoors for a while, then went in to get some work done

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fools around
  1. horses around
  2. plays
  3. shows off
  4. messes around
  5. cuts up
  6. hangs about
  7. acts up
Verb
  • Ortiz navigated past 17 other horses around the final turn and made a hard charge down the stretch.
    — Stephen Whyno, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Definition of horses around
Verb
  • A lot of great actors are based around there, and there were others like Lubna Azabal who plays Julia Felix.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026
  • Sean Clements Rated PG-13, 1 hour 43 minutes Johnson plays Dustin Boyd, whose laser-focused, hardass father Chuck (Ed Harris) trained him for tennis excellence from early childhood.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
Definition of plays
Verb
  • The latest entry is beautiful and shows off the console’s power, producing beautiful environments that elevate the visceral shmup-like action onscreen.
    — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 29 July 2026
  • Kelsea Ballerini shows off her summer glow in a cute polka dot top on July 28 in New York City.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of shows off
Verb
  • Other standouts include a Maybelline mascara and a Black and Decker handheld vacuum, which makes quick work of small messes around the house and in the car.
    — Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of messes around
Verb
  • The new congressional map in Virginia effectively cuts up the state’s 11 House districts to give Democrats an advantage in 10 of them.
    — Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
  • How to Prune Viburnum Use sharp hand pruners for smaller cuts up to the diameter of a pencil, and loppers or a pruning saw for larger cuts.
    — Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of cuts up
Verb
  • Though the sisters are supposedly first-generation Italian American, no whiff of the old country hangs about Kay; Dorothy will at least spit out a few words in Italian.
    — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Turquoise pearl, and azure line the space, and a cylindrical hanging light sculpture made of hundreds of white and gold ceramic fish hangs about the lounge seating area.
    — Kristin Braswell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026
Definition of hangs about
Verb
  • Currently, Screen Time often acts up and just cuts off access to all apps, whether it’s supposed to or not.
    — Tyler Hayes, PC Magazine, 9 June 2026
  • Koutouvides transitioned to life after football, found success in real estate development throughout Connecticut, but the pain of losing the Super Bowl twinges and acts up like an old joint injury.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of acts up
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.

Browse Nearby Words

fools
fools around
fools (with)
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Cite this Entry

“Fools around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fools%20around. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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