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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Peat fit in well with Arizona’s veteran lineup, as the freshman didn’t force the issue and played within the offense.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Jan. 2026
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Guys were playing hard, everybody on that drive was doing their job, and getting guys down on the ground.—
Mike Kaye
Updated January 11,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
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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The woman running the daycare had attempted life-saving measures on the child before emergency services arrived, First Alert 4 reported.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
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Kaelon Black ran for two touchdowns to lead the Indiana running game.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Turquoise pearl, and azure line the space, and a cylindrical hanging light sculpture made of hundreds of white and gold ceramic fish hangs about the lounge seating area.—
Kristin Braswell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
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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
Verb
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Coogan and Hays met in 2023 through their mutual friend, the extremely online health care start-up founder Will Manidis, and quickly bonded over their unadulterated love of capitalism.—
Julia Black,
Vanity Fair,
8 Jan. 2026
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That was really special to be able to bond on crafting the character.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mess around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mess%20around. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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