Thesaurus results for HORSEPLAY

horseplay

noun

ˈhȯrs-ˌplā

as in joking

wildly playful or mischievous behavior when he saw us spraying each other with the hose instead of washing the car, Dad yelled, "Cut out the horseplay!"

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 horseplay Those dousings also prompted outrage from police leaders — who decried it as an inexcusable sign of disrespect, and even suggested that officers willing to walk away from that kind of horseplay should consider another line of work. —

Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026 Yet this is truly an ensemble show, in which each performer has multiple opportunities to shine, executing some splendidly silly bits together, such as delivering CPR to a sandwich or convincingly channeling their inner tots during some post-bedtime horseplay. —

Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026 There was reportedly no horseplay or swerving during the ride, according to 9News. —

Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025 But what had once been raucous and raunchy mischief, was now benign horseplay. —

Time, 30 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for horseplay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for horseplay

Noun

Sometimes a playful comment, an unexpected reply or a joking callout between brands takes on a life of its own online.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Despite that underlying tension, kids play on the street outside while the large family has a dynamic like any other — noisily squabbling, joking, or in the case of the matriarchal grandmother, Mariam (Hiam Abbass), preparing a meal in a kitchen plagued by constant utility outages.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026