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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Division 1 In the spirit of the Highlanders, Helix High School senior Delise Jartu played bagpipes in a Scottish outfit before the game.—
Glae Thien,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
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His role, Reggie Porter Montgomery, was originally played by the late Chadwick Boseman — his future Black Panther costar — who was fired after just one week on set for criticizing Reggie's character arc for playing into racial stereotypes.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Since then, Arsenal has flirted with a series of agonizing near misses, most notably pipped at the post by Manchester City in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 Premier League campaigns.—
Aleks Klosok,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
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Ejiofor flirted with a triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks when the teams met earlier this month at Madison Square Garden in an 81-72 Red Storm win.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Love Story recreated the look in Episode 4, changing the timeline and context behind the iconic outfit.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
21 Feb. 2026
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The new series is shot in Vancouver where the hospital was recreated on soundstages.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This level 2 dog puzzle is designed to engage your pup and keep them entertained.—
Jessica Moore,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
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As batches of dumplings were boiled in pots of water, her friend and co-organizer Xinyi Shen entertained with a presentation about the Lunar New Year in China.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toyed. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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