messed around

past tense of mess around
1
2
as in flirted
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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for messed around
Verb
  • The offense played 69 snaps, the defense 53.
    Matt Barrows, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2025
  • While Gandy played twice in the state of California during his three seasons with the Falcons, there’s an insufficient linkage between the Falcons and California for purposes of workers’ comp coverage.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Consider the 1994 film year, when both supporting acting categories flirted with the possibility of double-dipping.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
  • That brings us to the three candidates who didn’t necessarily flunk, some of whom even flirted with adulthood.
    Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The job cuts have been anticipated for weeks, particularly because NBC News Group, an umbrella division that encompassed both the aforementioned cable networks as well as businesses associated with NBC News, is being cleaved in two, and revenue from cable will now go to feed operations at Versant.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
  • According to the survey, retailers are faced with balancing customer expectations and the need to grow online channels against the rising operational costs associated with returns as well as pressures from external factors such as tariffs.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The pair traveled down to reception together.
    Jay Glennie, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The couple, who traveled together alongside their child on a tour bus, approached the outing not just as a professional endeavor but as a family adventure.
    Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Maddy Rivard, public relations specialist for Life Time, said Thursday the Big Sugar Classic is one of more than 30 running and cycling events Life Time owns and operates across the country.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2025
  • But against Cleveland – who was without a viable quarterback option in London – Minnesota allowed Quinshon Judkins to run for 110 yards.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Through his work, Strachan examines histories often overlooked in mainstream narratives, particularly those connected to the Black diaspora, encouraging viewers to reconsider which histories are celebrated and how they are represented.
    Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2025
  • When women sign on to the male gaze Although the concept of the male gaze originally came from film and has expanded to television, art and literature, it is deeply connected to finance, Joyrich said.
    Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The club had kicked around the idea of Suárez and Nola sharing an outing, but it was made official on Monday night after a gut-wrenching Game 2 loss.
    Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Other ideas kicked around over the years have been subsidized housing or even returning it to its history of entertainment, as a high-end theater and performing arts academy.
    Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In the third quarter, Prescott hooked up with George Pickens for a 43-yard touchdown pass to take a 30-3 lead.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Two or three times a week, the group would incorporate extra conditioning using stationary bikes hooked up to oxygen.
    Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Messed around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messed%20around. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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