1
as in to play
to spend time in aimless activity
spent the vacation day just messing around
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to flirt
to show a sexual attraction for someone just for fun
a guy who goes to the health club mainly to mess around with the women
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to travel
to come or be together as friends
if you continue to mess around with such narrow-minded boobs, you'll begin to think and act like them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 mess around
This retinol treatment doesn’t mess around.
—
Maria Correa, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025
In other words, let your ad creatives do the work of targeting for you rather than messing around with audience filters.
—Renae Gregoire, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Framework is not messing around.
—Jason Evangelho, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Not messing around with different formations and trying to be too smart like GoN was.
—Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mess around
Maria Correa, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025
In other words, let your ad creatives do the work of targeting for you rather than messing around with audience filters.
—Renae Gregoire, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Framework is not messing around.
—Jason Evangelho, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Not messing around with different formations and trying to be too smart like GoN was.
—Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mess around
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess around
Verb
-
Whitaker is played by Gerran Howell, who carried the title role on the CBBC's Young Dracula (2006–2014) before appearing on NBC's Emerald City (2017) and Hulu's adaptation of Joseph Heller's Catch-22 (2019).—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The trio finished with a 4-1 lead in shots and 10 hits between them while playing predominantly against the Stars’ second and fourth lines.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Long story short: This is the tale of the rise and fall of the Sith's massive criminal syndicate away from the Empire's prying eyes, so expect more of the surprisingly dark tone past shows have often flirted with.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Ultimately, while Musk has occasionally flirted with cannabis culture and reform rhetoric, his actions suggest a cautious approach rather than outright support for federal legalization or policy changes.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Families now must travel often far distances for their children’s youth sports competitions, which can be costly.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
17 Apr. 2025
-
The Jaguars, who were originally slated to pick eighth before Minnesota’s draft-night slide, traveled to Utah to work out the promising prospect, who was considered by many to be the top offensive tackle in the class.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
As Molly and Guy start to fool around, things get hot and heavy, but Ernie has a job to do.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Plotwise, four teens who grew up with technology and like to fool around on their laptops invading various verboten sites and having a great time doing it one day happen upon a bright idea.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Those historic missions and the pioneers associated with them should not be forgotten.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
The cost associated would not exceed $30,000 — the same amount on the Public Interest Legal Foundation contract.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
His parents, who tell THR their son is taking the abrupt introduction to fame in stride, perch nearby, ready to run him home after the shoot.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Regardless of whether it is run by M+ or the HKMOA, transparency is important to both the art community and taxpayers.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
And while Goofy is looking to bond with his son after Max gets into trouble at school, the latter just wants to get to Los Angeles to see his favorite rock star in concert to impress his school crush, Roxanne.—
Jen Juneau,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
After Brosnahan took home her Emmy statuette in 2018, Malek eventually approached her at a New York City music festival to bond over their good fortune involving Sherman-Palladino.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mess around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mess%20around. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share