tinkered

verb

past tense of tinker
as in diddled (with)

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tinkered
  1. idled
  2. dawdled
  3. lounged
  4. doodled
  5. dallied
Verb
  • The sheer number of ships − study authors cite at least 1,500 vessels − idled near the trade route and the length of time involved are just the beginning.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Bercich said the day the Metrodome roof caved in, Ryan’s car idled on the side of the road, unable to handle the onslaught of snow.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of idled
Verb
  • But, lucky for anyone who dawdled, many of the deals are still active.
    — Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 June 2026
  • Flight attendants turned into drill sergeants, barking at passengers who flouted mask rules or dawdled too long eating that snack with the mask off.
    — Thomas Black, Twin Cities, 21 Dec. 2025
Definition of dawdled
Verb
  • Emily Ratajkowski lounged on a beach in Spain with her 5-year-old son Sylvester Apollo Bear wearing a tiny animal print bikini.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 23 July 2026
  • In the center, a cluster of tortellini lounged in a pool of truffle-flecked butter sauce.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of lounged
Verb
  • His cardboard sign is written in marker pen, a tiny Chivas shirt doodled in its corner.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • Koch bobbed by again, this time with glasses and a Harry Potter lightning bolt doodled on her face.
    — Michael Tedder, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2026
Definition of doodled
Verb
  • The full-backs, meanwhile, took their time from throw-ins, ensuring team-mates behind the ball were secure and Emiliano Martinez, who produced a second spellbinding save in as many visits to Nottingham, dallied from goal kicks.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Definition of dallied
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.

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tinker
tinkered
tinkered (with)
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Cite this Entry

“Tinkered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tinkered. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tinkered

Nglish: Translation of tinkered for Spanish Speakers

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