as in hacking (around)
to spend time doing nothing
returned home unannounced and found the au pair goofing off
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goofing (off)
Verb
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Year-round warm weather, hitting the links, and kicking back with the grandkids has long been the quintessential American retirement dream.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026 -
This has a similar curved design, and the chenille-like fabric lends this a coziness for kicking back and curling up.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In 2019, city employees began hanging about 500 trick-or-treat pumpkin buckets in the trees on Main Street every October.—
Elliott Harrell,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
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Orion Nebula Those viewing from a dark sky location may also notice a blurry patch of light hanging about 5 degrees below Orion's belt.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Although the likes of the Go Go’s and the Cars are present at times, the soundtrack as a whole seems too staid to provide a backdrop for ’80s kids kicking around in the heyday of punk.—
Gina Friedlande,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
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Both tracks — which had been kicking around since the Chinese Democracy sessions and were demoed even earlier — were finally released in December 2025 to coincide with GNR’s 2026 tour announcement.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Jonathan is standing over Coach, who is lounging in a hammock like a bruised banana that is too good to touch the counter.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
9 Apr. 2026
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A lot of lounging happens in that first year, and this comfy cotton crewneck sweatshirt is the perfect gift for the occasion.—
Brigitt Earley,
Glamour,
9 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Goofing (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goofing%20%28off%29. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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