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

Haiti became the first team in FIFA history to qualify without having played one game at home due to gangs’ takeover of its national stadium and the violence in Port-au-Prince.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
Julian Dennison stars as the troubled Ricky Baker, a kid who ends up on the run with an irascible old man, played by Sam Neill.

— Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026

Definition of played

Verb

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
In the email, Dixon suggested that the fire department employee may have messed around with the department's equipment.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 5 Feb. 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 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of goofed (around)

verb

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