screwing around

present participle of screw around
as in cheating
to be sexually unfaithful he hired a private detective because he thought his wife was screwing around

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of screwing around The informative thing was Lestat screwing around with me. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 23 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screwing around
Verb
  • For example, a spouse who catches their partner cheating and kills someone in the heat of emotion.
    Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2026
  • Few colleges have developed an intellectual integrity curriculum that treats cheating as a habit and works to counter it over the four years of a student’s college education.
    Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba, and more stars are stepping out in breezy sandals that maximize airflow without sacrificing style.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
  • Madonna, 67, freed the nipple and narrowly avoided a wardrobe malfunction while stepping out in a blue minidress with an extra-short hemline.
    Christina Perrier, InStyle, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Screwing around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screwing%20around. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

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