SCREWING AROUND Synonyms: 16 Similar Words

screwing around

verb

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

The president used California, a favorite target, to hint that Democrats were cheating.

— Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2026
The pair began arguing in Williams’ bedroom, during which Jones shut the door and could be heard accusing her of cheating, per the release.

— Eleanor Jacobs, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Definition of cheating

Verb

On May 18, Donike Gocaj, a resident of Briarcliff Manor in New York’s Westchester County, fell 10 feet into the open Con Edison manhole after stepping out of her parked SUV in midtown Manhattan, WABC reported.

— David Chiu, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
Lena Dunham was spotted in the back of an SUV, while producer Jack Antonoff was photographed by paparazzi stepping out in an oversized black blazer and matching slacks.

— Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026

Definition of stepping out

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screwing

screwing around

screwing up

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“Screwing around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screwing%20around. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of screwing around

verb

Example Sentences

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