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
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Recent Examples of toyed
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
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
-
Following in the footsteps of social-media-savvy churches such as Hillsong, in Los Angeles, Mercy Culture had a worship band that played earnest, anthemic rock, and its pastors wore skinny jeans.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The Wild played a second consecutive game without forward Bobby Brink, who was injured and scored a goal in his home debut with the Wild last Tuesday versus Utah.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Jayson Tatum kick-started Boston with a strong first quarter in his second game back from Achilles surgery, and co-star Jaylen Brown flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 23 points, nine rebounds and eight assists as the Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 109-98 at Rocket Arena.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Antetokounmpo wasn't the only Milwaukee player who flirted with a triple-double.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Just a few miles from Gagosian’s Beverly Hills gallery, there’s a pint-sized replica of it in the middle of Jonas Wood’s Koreatown studio, with every Richard Meier nook recreated.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Master model builder Logan G recreated the T-Mobile Center and the atmosphere outside the arena into a Lego display.—
Rashad Alexander,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Not so Grace, who always seems aware of an audience on the other side of the movie screen, waiting to be entertained.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
There are games galore to keep children entertained, plus a fabulous kid’s den on the top floor of the house with a huge TV and bed-like sofas.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toyed. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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