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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for goofed (around)
  1. fooled around
  2. played
  3. messed 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
  • My model is concentrated on the last 24 rounds played, and includes driving distance, strokes gained off the tee, strokes gained around the green, strokes gained putting, and strokes gained on par 3s longer than 200 yards.
    — Dennis Esser, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • View this post on Instagram Alyson Stoner Alyson Stoner, who also played Kairi in Kingdom Hearts, shared an emotional, heartfelt video mourning the loss of Panettiere.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 18 Aug. 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
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

goof (around)
goofed (around)
goofed (off)
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Cite this Entry

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

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