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
Relevance
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
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During their time together, Snead and McVay built teams that have played in two Super Bowls, winning one, and made eight playoff appearances.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The crowd went nuts because Heidenreich played for the United States Naval Academy.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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These Knicks run offense through Karl-Anthony Towns, who flirted with another triple-double before finishing with 16 points, 14 rebounds and six assists on the night.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
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The Crimson Tide’s offense dominated in Game 1 with a 12-0 mercy-rule victory behind a two-hitter in the circle from Jocelyn Briski, but the Vols’ Sage Mardjetko flirted with a no-hitter in Game 2 to even the series.—
Molly Keshin,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Some of climbing and kayaking was recreated on sets, but Kormákur also insisted on pairing those with actual locations.—
Emily Zemler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
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The obituary shared that McLemore was particularly passionate about creating and refining the Big Bob Gibson barbecue sauces, one of which – the white sauce – is so popular that people across the country have recreated it.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kimmel himself entertained at the dinner in 2012.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
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For his great-grandmother's Platinum Jubilee celebration in 2022, Louis entertained the Queen with his big reaction to the Trooping the Colour flypast.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toyed. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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