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
The Lakers weren’t messing around during the film sessions or practices.
—
Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Crusty on the outside and gooey on the inside, this sandwich doesn't mess around.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
While the directors mess around with genre in each chapter and the cast differs from story to story, the six narratives are given a sense of consistency courtesy of the unique Coen voice.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Apr. 2026
Following the global success of The Housemaid, Lionsgate is not messing around with its upcoming sequel.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mess around
Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Crusty on the outside and gooey on the inside, this sandwich doesn't mess around.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
While the directors mess around with genre in each chapter and the cast differs from story to story, the six narratives are given a sense of consistency courtesy of the unique Coen voice.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Apr. 2026
Following the global success of The Housemaid, Lionsgate is not messing around with its upcoming sequel.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mess around
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess around
Verb
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But questions remain about whether will decide to play elsewhere or close the chapter on his storied career.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
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Allen plays Roxie, a dying wife and mother who arrives in the trauma bay during the show’s second season.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
17 June 2026
Verb
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While hooking up with a charter guest is a fireable offense, there are no rules against flirting.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
9 Dec. 2025
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Those included attacking a woman who allegedly flirted with Ray and getting into a fight with five police officers, according to the docuseries.—
Emily Krauser,
PEOPLE,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Ahead of its visit to Colorado, CBS News Colorado travelled to Memphis for an advanced preview.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
10 Dec. 2025
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Sol de Janeiro Mini Body Cream Duo A dense, hydrating cream does wonders for dry skin, especially when traveling during the winter months, and this mini moisturizer duo is TSA-approved.—
Olivia Dubyak,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Another horny couple on vacation couldn’t wait until their flight landed to fool around and insisted on doing so in the plane's cabin.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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Zeus found out that Orion was fooling around with his daughter Artemis, the goddess of the moon.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But the attack ads and political endorsements generally associated with running for other offices have started showing up in judicial races, alarming some judges and raising questions about whether candidates who engage in such activity have the right temperament for the job.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
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Solstices are often associated with pagan religions and draw revelers of different faiths.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
Verb
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On Monday, May 18, a 7%-illuminated crescent will hang about two degrees from Venus, with Jupiter about 20 degrees above.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
14 May 2026
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Though the sisters are supposedly first-generation Italian American, no whiff of the old country hangs about Kay; Dorothy will at least spit out a few words in Italian.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Challenge ahead Jackson’s victory was powered by a coalition of suburban and exurban Republicans attracted to his promise to run government like a business.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
17 June 2026
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Wilber Urbina Garcia had an ambitious list of errands to run the day after his high school graduation, before his summer really began.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Calgary Flames forward Ryan Strome, a veteran of 916 games, doesn’t kick around with his teammates.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
8 June 2026
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Fans draped themselves in Haitian flags and danced to upbeat compas music while children kicked around soccer balls at the small meet-and-greet.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mess around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mess%20around. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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