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
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
Or to screw around in the sand?
—Pete Lyons, Car and Driver, 11 Mar. 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
Our gas giants don't screw around.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 30 Apr. 2012
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
Or to screw around in the sand?
—Pete Lyons, Car and Driver, 11 Mar. 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
Our gas giants don't screw around.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 30 Apr. 2012
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screw around
Verb
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Educational institutions signed contracts with AI detection companies such as GPTZero, ZeroGPT and Turnitin to deter students from cheating and adopted AI policies.—
Liz Shulman,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, our friends to the North seem to be in need of a timeout after cheating allegations.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The couple—who got engaged last summer—stepped out for the 2026 Berlinale Film Festival last night; this time, looking equally loved up but embracing complete polar-opposite fashions.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2026
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The cast lean into this fully, often stilted with dialogue just one step out of a natural rhythm.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Screw around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screw%20around. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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