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

Jack Coleman, who played her father on the NBC drama, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram.

— Jack Dunn, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
The Hunger Games prequel Sunrise on the Reaping is taking fans of the dystopian franchise back to Panem for the Second Quarter Quell, in which one Haymitch Abernathy (now played by Aussie actor Joseph Zada) will be forced to fight for his life.

— Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 25 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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“Goofed (around).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goofed%20%28around%29. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of goofed (around)

verb

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