1
as in to clown (around)
to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior
stop monkeying around in the house or you'll break something
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to goof (around)
to spend time in aimless activity
would rather just monkey around instead of doing work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monkey (around)
Verb
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Running or horsing around with sparklers can also cause injuries and burns when users trip and fall.—
Justin Laube,
EverydayHealth.com,
2 July 2025 -
Umberto Rispoli squeezed between horses around the top of the stretch and then rode Journalism to a tremendous rally.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
24 May 2025
Verb
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For the 2006 film, Anika Noni Rose played Lorrell, Beyoncé played Deena, and Hudson played Effie.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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The Indianapolis Colts are playing against the Baltimore Ravens in the 7 p.m. EDT slot followed by the Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals at 7:30 p.m. EDT and the Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks at 10 p.m. EDT.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Those have come from two players: Adrian Morejon of the San Diego Padres, who throws an odd knuckleball-changeup hybrid about 1 percent of the time, and Jonah Bride of the Minnesota Twins, an infielder fooling around with the knuckler in blowouts.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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As Molly and Guy start to fool around, things get hot and heavy, but Ernie has a job to do.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In the meantime, the shark's meat has been cut up, filleted and put in coolers to be shared with friends and family, his wife Cynthia told ABC News.—
Megan Forrester,
ABC News,
7 Aug. 2025
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Fiscally, the bill aimed to provide 39 million households tax cuts up to $3,600 by expanding the Child Tax Credit.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Mattison, the most powerful runner on the team, ripped off a few double-digit gains that showed off his good feet and speed.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Aug. 2025
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The new key art, seen above, shows off Tommy Oliver’s Green Ranger, along with what appears to be a giant Megazord looming behind everything.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Sizes Tablecloths should hang about 8-16 inches on each side for formal dining and about 3-6 inches on each side for casual dining.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
10 June 2025
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Most asteroids hang about in the Mars to Jupiter region, and the ones near Earth obviously hang about a bit closer.—
Dana Taylor,
USA TODAY,
2 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Monkey (around).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monkey%20%28around%29. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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