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

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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

And Maye did it despite playing without much of the Patriots’ offensive arsenal.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
But the move left Angel City playing a home game on the road in an effort to avoid the road and play at home in the playoffs.

— Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of playing

Verb

Less than seven minutes into Friday’s 125-111 loss to the Boston Celtics, the Bulls already were flirting with a double-digit deficit.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Without it, growth would have slowed to a mere fraction of a percentage point, leaving the economy nearly stagnant and flirting with recession.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of flirting

Verb

Below, shop similar suede coats on Amazon, starting at $36, plus inspiration for recreating the entire look.

— Jessie Quinn, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2026
Several social trends have taken hold, including audiences recreating their favorite Cathy Ames looks for Halloween on TikTok and the series audio trending on Instagram Reels.

— Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2026