TOYED Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

toyed

verb

past tense of toy

as in played

to engage in activity for amusement the cat toyed with the mouse it had caught, batting it about

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in flirted

to show a sexual attraction for someone just for fun likes to toy with men whom she has no intention of actually dating

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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 toyed The pair even toyed around with the idea of a potential collaboration. — Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026 Four years later — after the Broncos had toyed unsuccessfully with finding his replacement — Morton teamed with a new coach, his former Cowboys teammate Dan Reeves. — Pat Graham, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2026 Four years later — and after the Broncos had toyed unsuccessfully with finding his replacement — Morton teamed with a new coach, his former Cowboys teammate Dan Reeves. — CBS News, 12 May 2026 Nevertheless, he's repeatedly toyed openly about the idea of running again in 2028. — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025 According to Wolpe, Billie toyed around with the placement of their bush on the terracotta planter in the shape of a woman in a sports bra and ponytail. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for toyed

Verb

Those emotions certainly were appropriate following Miami’s closer-than-expected 15-10 loss in Minnesota on Sunday, a game in which the defense played valiantly and Ollie Gordon reached the 100-yard mark.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
The reporting on such matters is well-established, in the stories of Wall Street Journal journalist Jeff Horwitz (played here by Jeremy Allen White) and many others.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of played

Verb

Less than 30 minutes by car to both Bath and Bristol, there’s plenty to keep all ages entertained, but perhaps the best thing to do is to enjoy the tranquility of the home’s river views before venturing out for dinner in a nearby pub.

— Katie Silcox, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
Onboard the 2,713-passenger Disney Magic, you’ll be entertained throughout the cruise with Broadway-caliber shows, a 212-foot-long drop slide, fireworks at sea, and more.

— Megan duBois, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of entertained

Browse Nearby Words

toy

toyed

toyed (with)

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Style

“Toyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toyed. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of toyed

verb

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