horse around

as in to fool around
to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior the boys were horsing around on the boat when one of them fell overboard

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of horse around Quit horsing around — the Clydesdales are back! Breanne L. Heldman, People.com, 10 Feb. 2025 In the video, Payne is shown horsing around with a large outdoor crowd and his bandmates, encouraging the fans to quiet their screaming and then raise the volume all the way back up. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025 The unidentified pre-teen was horsing around and throwing snowballs in Connecticut’s capital city with an 11-year-old friend, local ABC affiliate WTNH reported. Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2025 Elsewhere, two boys, Frank and Alain, get up to assorted mischief, sneaking onto a baseball diamond at night or horsing around on railroad tracks, although there are hints that Frank’s family may leave Cuba soon. Ben Kenigsberg, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for horse around
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horse around
Verb
  • Those have come from two players: Adrian Morejon of the San Diego Padres, who throws an odd knuckleball-changeup hybrid about 1 percent of the time, and Jonah Bride of the Minnesota Twins, an infielder fooling around with the knuckler in blowouts.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • As Molly and Guy start to fool around, things get hot and heavy, but Ernie has a job to do.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Simpson took to Instagram to show off her birthday look.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2025
  • Wimbledon was a font of enviable wrist candy again this week, with celebrities showing off some stellar watches courtside.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Other parts of the plan to cut up to $37 million from TSU's budget include reductions in non-instructional staff that would save $6-7 million and instructional staff cuts that would account for another $5-6 million.
    Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
  • National media reports in the last few weeks indicated Trump will dissolve the EPA's Office of Research and Development and cut up to 75% of its jobs.
    Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • His calf was acting up and a decision was taken last Thursday for him and Inter’s other players with niggling injuries — Yann Bisseck, Piotr Zielinski and Benjamin Pavard — to leave the Club World Cup early.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 2 July 2025
  • Floral and spicy notes bring to mind a meadow in full bloom (without making your allergies act up, thankfully).
    Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Milan’s Chukwueze revelled on this stage, exciting fans further with a number skilful runs on the ball.
    Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 1 June 2025
  • First up, while people are revelling following the verdict, the emotional intensity of reaction can be traced to a sense of loss.
    Callum Booth, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Horse around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horse%20around. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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