1
as in plays
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 flirts
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 travels
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of messes around
As far as home finds, pick up this fall-scented candle and a lightweight handheld vacuum to tackle quick messes around the house.
—
Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messes around
Verb
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As Cuenca plays a ball to the feet of his striker, Wilson dashes in the other direction, delaying Ibrahima Konate’s forward jump because the centre-back knows Bradley is unable to track both him and Robinson at the same time.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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In the dark romantic comedy-drama, True Blood alum Skarsgård, 49, plays tough biker Ray, who enters into a dominant-submissive relationship with Colin (Melling), a shy and directionless man who sings in a barbershop quartet.—
Eric Andersson,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mark briefly flirts with manosphere-style aggrievement, but anger doesn’t suit him.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
4 Jan. 2026
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Reeves flirts with Michael Douglas territory in this Eli Roth erotic thriller that’s not especially good but is interesting as an acting exercise.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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On a sweltering July day, a steady stream of fans travels to the outskirts of Fort Worth to point iPhones across the highway at the TV greasy spoon frequented by oil industry fixer Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton).—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
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Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid travels back up from the stomach into the esophagus (tube connecting the throat to the stomach).—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Everyone associates that with us.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
8 Oct. 2025
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Hunger can be another motivator, especially if your feline associates certain times or behaviors with food.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And yet Guy still takes Kevis home to his apartment and hooks up with her!—
Lily Osler,
Vulture,
27 Oct. 2025
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Meanwhile, his sister Audrey (anatasia Phillips) secretly hooks up with his best friend Backwoods (Daniel Petronijevic), while beloved site manager Chelsea (Jennifer Spence) faces an uncomfortable truth when Jenn Conch (Jennifer Irwin) returns to Imperial Valley and wants to fit in.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Its Ember 2 mug, which has a heating element right inside and connects to a handy app, is now out in some new colorways.—
Noah Kaufman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 Nov. 2025
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Other highlights include a living room sporting a wood-burning stove, a dining area that connects to a kitchen outfitted with open shelving and stainless appliances, and a bath equipped with a porcelain tub.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The adhesive that bonds a child to a sports team is one of the most powerful elements in the universe.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
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Roeland Park and Prairie Village officials have also stated that the cities are not a part of the STAR bonds district.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
5 Jan. 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Messes around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messes%20around. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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