GOOFED (AROUND) Synonyms: 29 Similar and Opposite Words

goofed (around)

verb

past tense of goof (around)

as in fiddled (around)

to spend time in aimless activity we've been goofing around long enough; it's time to get some real work done

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for goofed (around)

Verb

Not too long ago, artificial intelligence was more or less a science project in which data scientists and developers fooled around with one-off small or test projects.

— Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

Definition of fooled around

Verb

Those emotions certainly were appropriate following Miami’s closer-than-expected 15-10 loss in Minnesota on Sunday, a game in which the defense played valiantly and Ollie Gordon reached the 100-yard mark.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
The reporting on such matters is well-established, in the stories of Wall Street Journal journalist Jeff Horwitz (played here by Jeremy Allen White) and many others.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of played

Verb

Then in spring training this year, Hollowell again messed around with different changeup grips while incorporating mental cues from previous coaches, and something clicked with a circle-change grip.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026
Dragstrem, who focuses more on production, has messed around with it but was left unsatisfied; McGill, who’s more lyrics-driven, wants nothing to do with the tech.

— Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 30 May 2026

Definition of messed around

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Browse Nearby Words

goof (around)

goofed (around)

goofed (off)

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“Goofed (around).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goofed%20%28around%29. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of goofed (around)

verb

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