1
as in to play
to spend time in aimless activity
spent the vacation day just messing around
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to flirt
to show a sexual attraction for someone just for fun
a guy who goes to the health club mainly to mess around with the women
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to travel
to come or be together as friends
if you continue to mess around with such narrow-minded boobs, you'll begin to think and act like them
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mess around
After losing to Oklahoma, squeaking by South Carolina and messing around with LSU aren’t gutsy showings but reflections of inconsistency.
—
Pete Sampson, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
Hearing an insider from the general manager meetings, where some of the top decision-makers gathered, say that their big takeaway was that the Blue Jays are tied to the top available free agent, is at least a sign that the club isn't messing around in the sweepstakes and will be aggressive.
—Patrick McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025
This woman is not messing around.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2025
It’s sponsored by the California Chamber of Commerce, which doesn’t mess around.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mess around
Pete Sampson, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
Hearing an insider from the general manager meetings, where some of the top decision-makers gathered, say that their big takeaway was that the Blue Jays are tied to the top available free agent, is at least a sign that the club isn't messing around in the sweepstakes and will be aggressive.
—Patrick McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025
This woman is not messing around.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2025
It’s sponsored by the California Chamber of Commerce, which doesn’t mess around.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mess around
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess around
Verb
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Besides Adebayo, Miami’s only other available center was two-way contract player Vlad Goldin, who arrived from a G-League assignment but did not play.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
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The three titles that were won with fewer than 90 points were wrapped up with at least three games still to play, which led to an easing off in the final weeks.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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During one table read, Telfer orchestrated a plan to have Cusack sit beside him and share a script, flirting throughout the night.—
Emily Krauser,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
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Following a 9-4 season and Alamo Bowl appearance, Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders briefly flirted with potentially coaching the Dallas Cowboys during the offseason.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The slim design makes this perfect for travelling, with easy stowing in suitcases or backpacks.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
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Despite the losses, Damon traveled to Texas and won the national title, dedicating the victory to his family and supporters.—
Nina Burns,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Gisin hopes that by fooling around with measurements of these more exotic states, physicists will come to better understand the role of measurement in general.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
8 Aug. 2025
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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
Verb
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This includes an examination of the kinds of brands and celebrities JOLLY looks to associate with, the best platforms to reach their audience and even the lengths of videos.—
Yahya Salem,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
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That means associating positive memories with new spaces.—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Under the public trees, children ran exultantly between cars.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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The thumping Republicans took in this week's elections reflected longer-running anger among constituencies that already leaned Democratic, but the GOP needs to worry that the government shutdown will cause that frustration to spread.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The hot air just hangs about, causing the dish to cook unevenly with some spots nearly raw and others burnt.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Nov. 2025
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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
Verb
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It was acquired as a limited series by Amazon; production was delayed by the pandemic, which gave the actors who made up the band—fronted by Riley Keough, granddaughter of Elvis Presley, as Daisy—time to bond and feel more like a real group by the time the show aired in 2023.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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It’s designed to teach life skills through music, from trying new veggies to winding down for bed, with songs and content that have become a go-to resource for millions of parents looking to learn and bond with their children.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mess around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mess%20around. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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