1
as in playing
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 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
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Recent Examples of toying
The bill is the result of six years of studying and toying around the edges of PBM issues.
—
Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 9 Apr. 2025
Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 9 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toying
Verb
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By July that year, Kelly, this time playing for England, famously scored that penalty against Spain in the Euros final, securing the Lionesses their second Euros title in a row.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
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Cross has not scored while playing eight minutes.—
Gary Bedore
March 4,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Statewide, residential eviction filings were already flirting with state records by the end of last year.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
26 Feb. 2026
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Houston could tie or break a 40-year-old heat record Thursday, while parts of South Texas will be flirting with their first 100-degree day of the year.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Houston Chronicle,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The limited series introduces a new generation of viewers to one of the most beloved and intriguing couples of the ‘90s, recreating the definitive moments of their romance in the years before their deaths in a 1999 plane crash.—
InStyle Editors,
InStyle,
27 Feb. 2026
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Grand County Search and Rescue crews said this incident is a good reminder for all backcountry enthusiasts to carry proper avalanche safety gear (Beacon/Shovel/Probe) when recreating in winter terrain.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toying. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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