as in interfering
to interest oneself in what is not one's concern
please don't mess with me while I'm trying to concentrate
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Recent Examples of messing
The problem is that messing with the time also messes with our circadian rhythms—which disrupts virtually every system in the body.
—
Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, fleets of vessels directed by the Kremlin have reportedly started messing with offshore wind and communications infrastructure in northern Europe.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Mar. 2026
Previous studies have looked at how modifying road markings, like covering up a stop sign or messing with lane lines, can sometimes fool self-driving systems into veering off-course or making unwanted or dangerous maneuvers.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 26 Feb. 2026
Other concerns presented by the group were about animals coming through and messing with the trash cans.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Now Rob is messing with another one of Candiace’s friends, and Candiace is ready to blow up the whole turret over it.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
Genetic engineering took his fancy, but Hassan’s father didn’t like the idea of messing with God’s creation.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
The effect demands a more active degree of introspection than the average documentary, and Marczak’s unwavering commitment to that endurance test approach has a powerful way of messing with viewer expectations.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
In reality, your body is constantly regulating them on its own, and messing with that process can be problematic.
—Rachel Reiff Ellis, SELF, 23 Jan. 2026
Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, fleets of vessels directed by the Kremlin have reportedly started messing with offshore wind and communications infrastructure in northern Europe.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Mar. 2026
Previous studies have looked at how modifying road markings, like covering up a stop sign or messing with lane lines, can sometimes fool self-driving systems into veering off-course or making unwanted or dangerous maneuvers.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 26 Feb. 2026
Other concerns presented by the group were about animals coming through and messing with the trash cans.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Now Rob is messing with another one of Candiace’s friends, and Candiace is ready to blow up the whole turret over it.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
Genetic engineering took his fancy, but Hassan’s father didn’t like the idea of messing with God’s creation.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
The effect demands a more active degree of introspection than the average documentary, and Marczak’s unwavering commitment to that endurance test approach has a powerful way of messing with viewer expectations.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
In reality, your body is constantly regulating them on its own, and messing with that process can be problematic.
—Rachel Reiff Ellis, SELF, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messing
Verb
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The law enforcement steps have alarmed election officials and Democrats who fear that the administration is building an argument for interfering in this year’s midterm elections.—
Isaac Arnsdorf,
Washington Post,
9 Mar. 2026
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The nine defendants face charges of conspiring against the rights of religious freedom at a place of worship and injuring, interfering and intimidating with exercising the rights of religious freedom of worship, according to a 14-page grand jury indictment obtained by USA TODAY.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Weeks later, the congresswoman could still the fractured bones in his forearm poking up under the skin.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The prosecutor said Tran tried to take his own life by slitting a wrist, cutting his neck and poking a blade into his stomach.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Thornton, a vice president of strategic communications who has worked downtown for 17 years, including a decade with AIMCLEAR, was no stranger to snooping on behalf of his colleagues and his employer.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
5 Dec. 2025
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But snooping signals a lack of trust.—
Dr. Cortney Warren,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Messing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messing. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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