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
Relevance
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
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 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
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
-
With fewer matches, shorter timelines and captaincy playing a huge role, identifying the right elite assets can make or break your World Cup Fantasy campaign.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
-
Simmons fits in nicely alongside eighth-graders Ella Parece and Molly Buffington, all playing a big role in the run this time.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Pawol was flirting with potential history early in Friday's game.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 June 2026
-
While global average sea surface temperature is flirting with record highs, sea surface temperatures are near normal in the main region of the Atlantic where hurricanes develop, according to the Climate Reanalyzer at the University of Maine's Climate Change Institute.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
His designer drew inspiration from the 19th century residence, recreating its round turret and green trim.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
-
Dawn Kish, a former Grand Canyon river guide and current documentarian of reemerging Glen Canyon, has spent hundreds of hours exploring the canyons and recreating photos taken before the dam gates closed.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toying. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
