as in to cheat
to be sexually unfaithful
he hired a private detective because he thought his wife was screwing around
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Recent Examples of screw around
The way the Padres screw around this time of year is maddening.
—
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2026
Mercedes is truly not screwing around with the new EQS.
—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 13 Apr. 2026
Simpson saw that all-too-rare phenomenon in Hollywood — somebody had no desire to screw around.
—Jay Glennie, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Ernesto and George were checking out the trailer, screwing around and being boys, the night Reynolds secretly came to the site to finish the plan.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
Although, die-hard Richard Mille lovers will notice this is the first time the brand has changed the iconic screws around the outer edge of the bezels to Torq set screws, which has head slots that are distinctive and different from the norm.
—Rebecca Suhrawardi, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024
But there’s still huge potential for rooftop solar, which can help cities stay powered when wildfires or other disruptions batter the larger electric grid — an increasingly common problem as the climate crisis screws around with global weather systems.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2023
Related Story Alexandra Daddario Posed Naked On IG Alexandra doesn’t screw around with her fitness.
—Korin Miller, Women's Health, 20 June 2023
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
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2026
Mercedes is truly not screwing around with the new EQS.
—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 13 Apr. 2026
Simpson saw that all-too-rare phenomenon in Hollywood — somebody had no desire to screw around.
—Jay Glennie, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Ernesto and George were checking out the trailer, screwing around and being boys, the night Reynolds secretly came to the site to finish the plan.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
Although, die-hard Richard Mille lovers will notice this is the first time the brand has changed the iconic screws around the outer edge of the bezels to Torq set screws, which has head slots that are distinctive and different from the norm.
—Rebecca Suhrawardi, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024
But there’s still huge potential for rooftop solar, which can help cities stay powered when wildfires or other disruptions batter the larger electric grid — an increasingly common problem as the climate crisis screws around with global weather systems.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2023
Related Story Alexandra Daddario Posed Naked On IG Alexandra doesn’t screw around with her fitness.
—Korin Miller, Women's Health, 20 June 2023
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screw around
Verb
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With no one coming to save him, Santi learned to save himself — cheating cards, running schemes, talking his way into and out of everything.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
8 June 2026
-
People are robbed, assaulted and cheated.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell made a rare joint appearance, stepping out together to celebrate their grandson Wilder's high school graduation.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
7 June 2026
-
Peter and Harriet stepped out publicly for the first time together in May 2024, attending the Badminton Horse Trials.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Screw around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screw%20around. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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