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
  1. cheating
  2. stepping out
Verb
  • In March, the owner of a Colorado funeral home was sentenced to 18 years in prison for mishandling nearly 190 dead bodies, cheating customers and defrauding the federal government through loan applications.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Trump has been accused of cheating at golf many times, but some pro golfers have praised his game.
    — Tom D'Angelo, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheating
Verb
  • Videos on the nonprofit’s website show children stepping out of luxury buses, walking between camp volunteers who welcome them with applause and cheers.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of stepping out

Browse Nearby Words

screwing
screwing around
screwing up
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Screwing around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screwing%20around. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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