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
Relevance
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
Verb
-
That sensibility is countered by Dina’s, who plays the romantic foil to Liberty’s pessimist.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025 -
The score was composed by Nitin Sawney and performed by a 60-piece orchestra, while a 200-strong cast plays over 500 characters across 198 chapters and 700-plus scenes.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In the after photo, the actor shows off his muscular physique in shorts and a tank top.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Next to the arm, an ankle — where Umansky is tagged — shows off a tattoo with four thin black lines.—
Emy LaCroix,
People.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As far as home finds, pick up this fall-scented candle and a lightweight handheld vacuum to tackle quick messes around the house.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The hot air just hangs about, causing the dish to cook unevenly with some spots nearly raw and others burnt.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In the cold and austere German winter (a far cry from Dakar’s physical and cultural warmth), an anxious Nourou acts up outside a hotel and is accosted by a Polish security guard, setting off a minor chain reaction in which Maja intervenes on his behalf, much to his chagrin.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The kid acts up, the dad disciplines him and mom just sends a sorry text.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
22 Sep. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Fools around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fools%20around. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share