1
as in to play
to spend time in aimless activity
spent the vacation day just messing around
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mess around
No more messing around with dials or having to adjust sound levels, for example.
—
Eric Hutto, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Not messing around, the company hires Zora (Scarlett Johansson), an experienced soldier of fortune, to lead a team that also includes fellow mercenary Duncan (Mahershala Ali) and Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey), a paleontologist.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 1 July 2025
The track and field season is in full swing, and with an important juncture coming – the 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships in July – Lyles doesn’t really have time to mess around.
—Cory Mull, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Wilson’s ambition, however, was undercut by intensifying, untreated mental illness as well as by drug use (including hashish and amphetamines) and pressure from the other Beach Boys and the group’s label, Capitol, to stop messing around and start cranking out hits.
—Jason Fine, Rolling Stone, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for mess around
Eric Hutto, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Not messing around, the company hires Zora (Scarlett Johansson), an experienced soldier of fortune, to lead a team that also includes fellow mercenary Duncan (Mahershala Ali) and Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey), a paleontologist.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 1 July 2025
The track and field season is in full swing, and with an important juncture coming – the 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships in July – Lyles doesn’t really have time to mess around.
—Cory Mull, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Wilson’s ambition, however, was undercut by intensifying, untreated mental illness as well as by drug use (including hashish and amphetamines) and pressure from the other Beach Boys and the group’s label, Capitol, to stop messing around and start cranking out hits.
—Jason Fine, Rolling Stone, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for mess around
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess around
Verb
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Malakian explains the role Ozzfest played in elevating System of a Down’s profile.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
26 July 2025
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Cash, 47, played for Francona when the Reds manager helmed the Boston Red Sox and then served as Francona’s bullpen coach in Cleveland before becoming the Rays’ manager.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
Verb
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The just as playful music video shows both artists annoyed with each other (but also flirting) during a TV interview.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
25 July 2025
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Rae flirts with the lens, before the clip cuts to Sombr driving a classic car.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
24 July 2025
Verb
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This oversized 400-acre property stretches between both the Caribbean and Atlantic coasts of the island, home to oceanview suites and spacious villas, and estates available for rent when owners are traveling elsewhere.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Aug. 2025
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Captain America time traveled, aged and has never been seen again.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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The earthquake's proximity to Manhattan underscores the importance of emergency preparedness planning and public awareness in metropolitan areas not typically associated with frequent seismic events.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Aug. 2025
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The team landed on Sriracha, a chili sauce commonly associated with Thai and Vietnamese food that has become a grocery store staple.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Angelo’s son, Joseph, ran the store and lived on the second floor until the 1970s.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
29 July 2025
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Now, billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy is running to replace Gov. Mike DeWine, who cannot run again because of term limits.—
Jessie Balmert,
The Enquirer,
28 July 2025
Verb
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Sizes Tablecloths should hang about 8-16 inches on each side for formal dining and about 3-6 inches on each side for casual dining.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
10 June 2025
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Most asteroids hang about in the Mars to Jupiter region, and the ones near Earth obviously hang about a bit closer.—
Dana Taylor,
USA TODAY,
2 Oct. 2024
Verb
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In choosing Las Vegas as the attraction’s next location, a media statement cited that the Nevada city has where the show’s cast first bonded and where their respective characters made some memorable decisions.—
Michele Herrmann,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
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Moms are already bonding together through groups, such as Mothers Against Media Addiction (Mama), to create an anti-screen movement.—
Katie Grant,
Parents,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mess around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mess%20around. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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