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
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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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Curry played in five games after surgery to repair a broken second metacarpal.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
10 May 2026
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Nobody had seen a second round playoff game played in Minnesota in more than a decade.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
10 May 2026
Verb
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Apparently being budgeted in the $70M range, the buzzy project has attracted Matthew McConaughey, Pedro Pascal and Austin Butler and has been flirted with by studios over the years.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
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In 2025, the timing of the Cannes dress code announcement allowed a few rebels to get around the new rules—from Heidi Klum and her dramatic ruffle train to Bella Hadid, whose daring split dress also flirted with the limits imposed by Cannes protocol.—
Blanche Marcel,
Vanity Fair,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Adding to the accuracy of the show, the OnlyFans interface was graphically recreated to use on-screen, down to the chatboxes Margo opens when DMing creators, looking for tips on how to expand her fanbase.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
9 May 2026
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Meredith and Nick recreated their first encounter for the surprise proposal.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Frank Sinatra entertained at his Twin Palms estate; Marilyn Monroe retreated here between films, and Elvis and Priscilla Presley honeymooned in an A-frame hideaway steps from downtown.—
Christina Pérez,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
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The longtime veteran figured to only take snaps for the G-Men barring an injury to the young phenom in Dart, but at the very least, he is surely entertained by his play.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toyed. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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