as in to play
to spend time in aimless activity
we've been goofing around long enough; it's time to get some real work done
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goof (around)
Verb
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The Eagles and Chiefs played each other in the Super Bowl just two years ago, when both Jason, 37, and Travis, 35, competed with their respective teams in the 2023 game.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025 -
The Chiefs, who are going for their third championship in a row, will play the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.—
Neil Vigdor,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Players were in a dorm room fooling around with a gun.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Nov. 2024
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Oklahoma fooled around with Houston long enough to escape with a narrow 16-12 win.—
Chase Goodbread,
The Tennessean,
18 Sep. 2024
Verb
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Most asteroids hang about in the Mars to Jupiter region, and the ones near Earth obviously hang about a bit closer.—
Dana Taylor,
USA TODAY,
2 Oct. 2024
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The big picture: The nine-block shopping district got its own Art Deco-style sign on Monday, which now hangs about 25 feet in the air over Cary Street by Burtons Grill & Bar.—
Sabrina Moreno,
Axios,
1 Oct. 2024
Verb
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So, in America, ridiculously, much value is attached to jobs that give you the privilege of being messed around by UnitedHealthcare and its competitors.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
17 Dec. 2024
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Grab this best-selling handheld vacuum from Black and Decker to tackle crumbs, dust, and more quick messes around the house.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
1 Jan. 2025
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Thesaurus Entries Near goof (around)
Cite this Entry
“Goof (around).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goof%20%28around%29. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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