Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing (around)
Verb
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The transition was rough for Ansari, who wasn’t fluent in English and often got in trouble for fooling around in school.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026 -
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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What if some big musician is screwing around at sound check and sings one of [Spinal Tap’s] songs.—
Melinda Newman,
Billboard,
3 Sep. 2019
Verb
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Fear of stepping out of their houses, going to work, grocery shopping and even practicing their religion.—
Yahya Salem,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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He was seen stepping out of his vehicle at his sister Annie's home.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Playing (around).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing%20%28around%29. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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