1
as in fiddling (around)
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 flirting
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 travelling
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
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Recent Examples of messing around
Around March, during a session with Allen and Slatkin, Maddell started messing around with chords to pair with an acoustic that Slatkin had at the ready.
—
Josh Glicksman, Billboard, 12 Aug. 2025
Josh Glicksman, Billboard, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messing around
Verb
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Emmett was falsely accused of flirting and making advances at Bryant Donham.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
31 Aug. 2025
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Yet, for whatever reason, many Americans can’t stop flirting with pessimism.—
Norbert Michel,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Though his interests were that of a pretty typical child — computing and gaming, playing the saxophone, enjoying soccer and time with his pets — he was also known for his acts of kindness and generosity.—
Lauren Costantino
September 6,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
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The Chiefs also were playing without rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals, who is recovering from an injury.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Starship's first three test flights of the year, from January through May, all ended with the spacecraft exploding in dramatic fashion while traveling through the air.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
20 Aug. 2025
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Rhys Jones, a travel insurance specialist at GoCompare, told CNBC that the price comparison website has increasingly been receiving inquiries about what how to handle traveling in an area were wildfires raged at one point, or if there's a risk of blazes.—
Sophie Kiderlin,Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Gisin hopes that by fooling around with measurements of these more exotic states, physicists will come to better understand the role of measurement in general.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Commit to regularly offering valuable insights so people start recognizing your name and associating it with expertise.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Stories about vampires drinking young blood to maintain their youthful glow and ancient civilizations associating blood with having special powers have been circulating for a long time.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Another key play in the drive was Orion Suttle hooking up with Michael Hood for a 13-yard gain after completing only two of his previous 10 passes for 15 yards.—
Martin Henderson,
Oc Register,
30 Aug. 2025
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As such, those wishing to build up a portfolio of investment-grade coins is probably best off hooking up with an auction house.—
Clem Chambers,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Golden stood out in training camp and the joint practices against the Colts and Seahawks, showing polished route running and explosive acceleration against NFL-level defensive backs.—
Cecil Merkerson III,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
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That finding runs counter to years of political assumptions and suggests a shift that could have real implications for household finances, community development, and the long-running national housing crisis.—
Jaime Catmull,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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None is more important than what’s been kicking around for at least six decades, a project to bolster California’s north-to-south shipments of water by bypassing the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Messing around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messing%20around. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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