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 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 documents included disciplinary information and reportedly showed that Sherrill was barred from walking at her 1994 graduation after refusing to inform on classmates involved in a cheating scandal.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • In backrooms, there was none of the surveillance tech that reputable casinos use to catch players cheating.
    Rob Wile, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Color & Geometry Non-Slip Bath Mat Gone are the days of stepping out of the shower and onto cold tile or a soggy bath mat.
    Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Mims had a nice 17-yard punt return, but rookie RJ Harvey got benched on kickoff duties after incomprehensibly stepping out of bounds on one return.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Screwing around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screwing%20around. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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