1
as in to horse around
to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior
quit fooling around on the jungle gym, or you'll get hurt
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to play
to spend time in aimless activity
we fooled around outdoors for a while, then went in to get some work done
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Recent Examples of fool around
Bella Ramsey takes a break from killing zombies and avenging father figures, their usual pastimes in series The Last of Us, to fool around and fall in love in Sunny Dancer, a decidedly uneven but fitfully charming, YA-skewed British comedy-drama.
—
Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
The transition was rough for Ansari, who wasn’t fluent in English and often got in trouble for fooling around in school.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Not too long ago, artificial intelligence was more or less a science project in which data scientists and developers fooled around with one-off small or test projects.
—Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Gisin hopes that by fooling around with measurements of these more exotic states, physicists will come to better understand the role of measurement in general.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fool around
Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
The transition was rough for Ansari, who wasn’t fluent in English and often got in trouble for fooling around in school.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Not too long ago, artificial intelligence was more or less a science project in which data scientists and developers fooled around with one-off small or test projects.
—Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Gisin hopes that by fooling around with measurements of these more exotic states, physicists will come to better understand the role of measurement in general.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fool around
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fool around
Verb
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Ortiz navigated past 17 other horses around the final turn and made a hard charge down the stretch.—
Stephen Whyno,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
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Ortiz navigated past 17 other horses around the final turn and made a hard charge down the stretch.—
Stephen Whyno,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Verb
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There’s even a kids play room on the ground floor with a beautiful, handmade rocking horse and a big toy kitchen.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
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In particular, James thrived while playing as a nickel back in defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s scheme the past two seasons.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Instead of dwelling in doubt, cut up paper and throw it around.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
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Firefighting crews worked Monday to cool residual heat and prevent hot spots from causing reignition, using chainsaws to fell and cut up hazardous trees, inspecting each section for heat and using hoses to extinguish any remaining embers.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Back in April, Brittany proudly showed off some snaps of her girl dressed in a cowboy hat, denim dress and cowboy boots.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
26 May 2026
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Saturday’s stage to Pila, a long if shallow climb in Italy’s far north-west, was the sort of day built to show off Vingegaard’s explosivity, a major training focus since his crash in the Basque Itzulia two years ago.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Verb
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All of our memories are traveling the world, messing around, having fun, and being teenagers.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
22 May 2026
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Winners Week 1 in primetime The schedule makers weren’t messing around with the opening week of games under the lights.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
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On Monday, May 18, a 7%-illuminated crescent will hang about two degrees from Venus, with Jupiter about 20 degrees above.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
15 May 2026
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The plush beds have new headboards, tapestries by local artist Elena Carozzi now hang about the beds, bespoke wardrobes and minibars were created in dark wood and straw, and the bathrooms have been redone in green Cipollino marble.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Travel + Leisure,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Baye continued acting up until 2023.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
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There is no defeat quite like sitting down for a gaming session after a 10-hour workday, hoping to get your woes out by winning some battles, but your ancient monitor decides to act up.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There are a few great Star Wars arcade games still kicking around, but this one is my personal favorite.—
Alex James Kane,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
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So Trump will still have Vance to kick around, whether either of them likes it or not.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fool around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fool%20around. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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