TOYING Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

toying

verb

present participle of toy

as in playing

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

as in flirting

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of toying The formula is one of those shampoos formulated for a really great wash—delivering moisture and smoothing without toying too far into volumizing, densifying, or hair growth. — Ellie Davis, Vogue, 25 June 2026 The age-gap romance is one that Statsky said the writers have been toying around with for quite some time. — Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026 The bill is the result of six years of studying and toying around the edges of PBM issues. — Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 9 Apr. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for toying

Verb

In catching 12 passes for 217 yards and four touchdowns against Illinois Saturday, Smith again looked like the high school star playing against ninth graders on the JV team.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026
Ukraine eliminated two-time defending champion Italy in the semifinals and was playing its first final.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of playing

Verb

Kemp says the studio wasn’t interested in recreating a Victorian interior.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026
These are areas where their brand, operating model, data and ideas can create real differentiation to gain a more competitive advantage instead of recreating template foundational technology underneath those experiences.

— Yevgeni Tsirulnik, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026