1
as in plays
to spend time in aimless activity
spent the vacation day just messing around
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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.
Recent Examples of messes around
Other standouts include a Maybelline mascara and a Black and Decker handheld vacuum, which makes quick work of small messes around the house and in the car.
—
Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messes around
Verb
-
Reid plays this so well, but the direction is a little over the top, with drug-trip visuals that are too distracting to follow the dense-as-ever disjointed narration.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
-
Haiti opens its World Cup campaign against Scotland in Boston on June 13, then plays Brazil June 19 in Philadelphia and Morocco June 24 in Atlanta.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
From time to time the thermometer flirts with 70.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
7 May 2026
-
Surrounded by honeymooners, June tries (and flirts) to reclaim her joie de vivre, while Lela is deep in the dark.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Now on sale for $60, the Levi’s Baggy Cinch Jeans are a slightly more casual wide-leg option that are still perfect for your summer travels with their breathable fit despite their non-stretch, 100 percent cotton construction.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
-
Traditional chemotherapy travels throughout the body and affects both cancerous and healthy cells.—
William A. Haseltine,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Though the sisters are supposedly first-generation Italian American, no whiff of the old country hangs about Kay; Dorothy will at least spit out a few words in Italian.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The third vessel, for example, contains circular discs symbolizing water, which Chan associates with rebirth.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
-
In practical terms, that means Forest now associates humans with food and safety, the opposite of what a wild deer needs to survive.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kimbo also hooks up a standard electrical system with 2-kWh, 12-V lithium battery, 240-W Renogy solar panel setup, integrated wiring and shore power hookup.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Nike consistently hooks up the University of Oregon‘s athletic programs with exclusive sneakers because of their longstanding relationship, and the newest spoils to emerge come via Nike’s most futuristic new basketball sneaker.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In a conventional arrangement, the strut body is mounted to the chassis while the shaft connects to the wheel assembly.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 06,
New Atlas,
6 June 2026
-
The bridge connects Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and will provide a third border crossing option at the Detroit River.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The narrator and his wife find that their attachment to the charismatic and cryptic Chibi grows with the cat’s increasing visits, in a way that bewilders them but somehow bonds them closer together.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
The Pennsylvania native made her TV acting debut on the HBO hit as Faye, the adrift addict who bonds with Fezco (the late Angus Cloud) and later Rue (Zendaya), after previously establishing herself in adult films, with creator Sam Levinson casting her directly.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Messes around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messes%20around. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
