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 traveling
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
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Recent Examples of messing around
Miami’s defense isn’t messing around The Hurricanes defense has rattled Julian Sayin.
—
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Apple isn't messing around with this update.
—PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
The dismantling of the Cubs in the NLDS was a statement series that the Brewers are not messing around and have the power to win their first World Series.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
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
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Apple isn't messing around with this update.
—PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
The dismantling of the Cubs in the NLDS was a statement series that the Brewers are not messing around and have the power to win their first World Series.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messing around
Verb
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So much low-effort, shortform video of the stars flirting and teasing followed.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
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Then, as Venus and the sun move into Aquarius, communication flows more freely, making flirting fun again and conversations easier.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Thirasak Wongsoongnern, a member of staff on the train, told local media outlet Thairath Online, that the train had been traveling at around 74mph when the tragedy occurred, according to the BBC.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
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Vandenberg, 49, was planning on traveling from El Paso to San Diego to unleash harmful fireworks at a June 14 protest, prosecutors said.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The large tabletop is ideal for setting out snacks or playing a game with friends, while the distressed, two-tone brown-and-white finish blends easily with existing furniture.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
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If Moncada is healthy and playing third, that leaves those players to compete for time at second.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
22 Jan. 2026
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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Additionally, the dolphins may also be associating with non-dolphin-eating orcas to learn to distinguish their sounds from those of the threatening mammal-eating killer whales.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 Dec. 2025
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Hellfire Club Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) is the only one still associating himself with the Hellfire Club at Hawkins High School, because the rest of the student body still thinks Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) is responsible for killing Vecna’s victims last season.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Organized labor won his backing because hooking up with the Teamsters and learning to drive a truck got him out of the California tomato fields.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2025
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But the 27-year-old Alabama man didn’t see through on that promise and ended up staying in Fiji and hooking up with other lovelies.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The attention has also led to a few funny moments, including running into friends and colleagues who were shocked to recognize the family from a viral video.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
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These running sneakers are perfect for anyone running or walking long distances.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In 2019, city employees began hanging about 500 trick-or-treat pumpkin buckets in the trees on Main Street every October.—
Elliott Harrell,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
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Orion Nebula Those viewing from a dark sky location may also notice a blurry patch of light hanging about 5 degrees below Orion's belt.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Messing around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messing%20around. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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