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
For small messes around the house and in the car, opt for the Black+Decker Handheld Vacuum.
—
Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
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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Opening with a melancholic harmonica that flirts with a country twang, the track feels unfiltered as Eric Aragón (real name) sings of regret and the sting of love gone wrong.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
16 Jan. 2026
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At the party, Gerry Wade (Corey Mylchreest) flirts endearingly with Bundle.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In this study, the researchers found that not all but some cancers release a protein called cystatin-C (Cyst-C), which travels through the body and helps the brain clear away toxic amyloid clumps – the sticky protein build-up linked to Alzheimer’s disease.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Jan. 2026
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For 56 years, that mission held the distance record, but Artemis II will smash it when the spacecraft travels a whopping 4,700 miles beyond the lunar backside.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Greene’s heart-to-heart media tour has been jarring liberals and anyone else who associates her with conspiratorial beliefs and outrageous comments.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
21 Nov. 2025
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Everyone associates that with us.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
8 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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The humanitarian aspect of Aquarius traits connects to research on moral foundations and prosociality.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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At the same time, the Krafts are looking to expand their Pawtriots initiative, which connects dogs in shelters with their forever families.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That would be Jinu, soda-popping demon who steals souls but ultimately bonds with Rumi.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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The film stars Sally Field as a widow who bonds with a giant Pacific octopus, while also connecting with a young man (Lewis Pullman) in need of direction.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
7 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
Cite this Entry
“Messes around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messes%20around. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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