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
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
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New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel has a chance to join an exclusive group when his team plays the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.—
Chuck Schilken,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
This commitment to efficiency extends into shelter support, where data plays a significant role.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Delivered with an ease that flirts with comedy, it can be taken as humor punctuating drama.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
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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
Verb
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The injury also travels up to the brain, triggering a fear response.—
Michal Ruprecht,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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At the Polynesian Market the menu travels from huli-huli chicken to kalu pork to teriyaki chicken sliders.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 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
-
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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This downtown hotel connects directly to the Grand Wayne Convention Center and is within a stone’s throw of the botanical garden and some of Fort Wayne’s top restaurants like Proximo and The Hoppy Gnome.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
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Cedillo previously testified that a fingerprint on a door handle from the Chevrolet Equinox is among evidence that connects Tyreion Nixon-Clark, a brother of Jay Nixon-Clark, to the Steel Dust Drive scene.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated February 6,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Guess what bonds that group together?—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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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
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 12 Feb. 2026.
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