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
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
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
Verb
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Houston had played a club-record 13 straight matches without a draw to begin a season.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
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The conservative Freedom Foundation, an organization that played a role in the law’s creation, celebrated its passage.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Verb
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Throughout the first season, Margo’s Got Money Troubles has flirted with fantasy in many different ways.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
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Before New York Mets left fielder Juan Soto hit a solo home run in the seventh inning of Friday night’s 5-2 Yankees win, Schlittler flirted with franchise history.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
Verb
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The L’Oeil d’or prize, which comes with a €5,000 award for the winner, was recreated by the Cannes Film Festival and LaScam (French-speaking society for non-fiction authors).—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
22 May 2026
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Gard said engineers recreated missing technical details and found modern replacements for obsolete parts through extensive problem-solving.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Shower attendees, including Disick and Chyna's sister Dejah, took pictures in a photo booth, decorated infant onesies and were entertained by a belly dancer.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
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Looking for a fun and affordable way to keep your little one entertained this summer?—
Robin Westen,
Parents,
21 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toyed. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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