toyed

verb

past tense of toy
1
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
2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 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. — ABC News, 11 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
  1. played
  2. flirted
  3. recreated
  4. entertained
Verb
  • Haiti became the first team in FIFA history to qualify without having played one game at home due to gangs’ takeover of its national stadium and the violence in Port-au-Prince.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
  • Julian Dennison stars as the troubled Ricky Baker, a kid who ends up on the run with an irascible old man, played by Sam Neill.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Definition of played
Verb
  • The most recent season also revealed that Wilson flirted with Miller throughout the summer, raising her hopes for a possible reconciliation, only to hook up with her best friend months later.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 8 July 2026
  • The stock's trading just under $200, a level it's flirted with since late last month, down 17% from its May record and up just 4% on the year, as investors have turned their attention to other AI components, like the memory-makers.
    — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 7 July 2026
Definition of flirted
Verb
  • Collins opted for a warm-weather look, wearing hers with linen shorts, a sports bra, and an oversized button-down shirt that can easily be recreated.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
  • Raphael has recreated the piece based, in part, on his recollections of seeing it over 40 years ago.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026
Definition of recreated
Verb
  • Mexico returned from halftime with great momentum in front of a crowd that had been entertained at halftime by the Mexican band Maná.
    — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Gillian's Wonderland Pier in Ocean City was a Jersey Shore landmark that entertained families for decades.
    — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of entertained

Browse Nearby Words

toy
toyed
toyed (with)
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Cite this Entry

“Toyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toyed. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of toyed for Spanish Speakers

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