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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McAvoy and Lindholm played just 50 and 17 games, respectively; Brandon Carlo got dealt to division rival Toronto; Zadorov never quite lived up to his beefy new deal; and youngster Lohrei struggled with too heavy of a load too soon as the carnage unfolded around him.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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The unconventional thriller played like gangbusters to the buzzing New York crowd.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Tyreek Hill flirted with becoming the NFL’s first 2,000-yard receiver twice (2022 and 2023).—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
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Lucas has gone a step further and flirted with a potential run himself.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Swift recreated a similar visual of her submerged in a bathtub wearing a sequined corset.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Chris Oddy, the production designer, meticulously recreated the hut on the stage down to matching floorboards with similar blemishes in similar places to have this seamless match.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
No amendments were entertained.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Unlike other game-day snacks like chips or popcorn, where flavors and textures can get a little one-note after a while, ALDI’s Cajun Trail Mix keeps your taste buds entertained with different flavors—salty, sweet, and spicy—and different textures, too.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Toyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toyed. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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