playing (around)

Definition of playing (around)next
present participle of play (around)
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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing (around)
Verb
  • Zeus did not approve of his daughter fooling around with this mortal roughneck hunter and put out a hit on Orion.
    Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Mercedes is truly not screwing around with the new EQS.
    Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 13 Apr. 2026
  • 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
  • That tracks here — anyone stepping out on this issue by nature must be more open to considering issues on a standalone basis, considering their merits and the benefits to constituents first instead of deferring to the party line.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
  • The lawsuit alleges an unidentified deputy responded by driving to the scene, stopping momentarily, then leaving without ever stepping out of her SUV.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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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 15 May. 2026.

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