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
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Aasif Mandvi and Christopher Fitzgerald barely register as Jane and Julia’s oblivious husbands, while Consuelos, who plays Maurice as a suave cuckolder with a dodgy European accent, should probably stick to daytime TV.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026 -
Experts say that’s because magnesium plays an important role in our health.—
Anahad O’Connor,
Washington Post,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Doechii is breathtaking in a peacock top that shows off her toned abs at The Daily Front Row's 10th Annual Fashion Los Angeles Awards on April 14.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
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Jelly tends to be sweeter and more gel-like than jam, with a translucent finish that shows off the fruit's natural color.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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Options laid out in an Interior Department study of new operating rules absent a seven-state solution envision Lower Basin cuts up to twice what the Southwestern states have suggested.—
Brandon Loomis,
AZCentral.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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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
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But if your transmission acts up or your steering system goes haywire, car insurance won't help you.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
5 Dec. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Fools around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fools%20around. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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