1
as in to play
to spend time in aimless activity
spent the vacation day just messing around
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mess around
Interestingly, in the language of the Inupiat tribe of Alaska’s north slope, there’s no messing around with spring.
—
Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 30 Apr. 2025
Sean Keeler, columnist: The Broncos needed a franchise QB last year, and didn’t mess around.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2025
Body gua shas typically feature more intense angles and ridges—perfect for regular maintenance and post-strain relief alike (that last Pilates class was not messing around).
—Allure, 14 Apr. 2025
Taking out this lab could be like taking out Professor Charles Xavier of the X-men and then messing around with Cerebro.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mess around
Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 30 Apr. 2025
Sean Keeler, columnist: The Broncos needed a franchise QB last year, and didn’t mess around.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2025
Body gua shas typically feature more intense angles and ridges—perfect for regular maintenance and post-strain relief alike (that last Pilates class was not messing around).
—Allure, 14 Apr. 2025
Taking out this lab could be like taking out Professor Charles Xavier of the X-men and then messing around with Cerebro.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mess around
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess around
Verb
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Both Earps and Hampton have played a very similar number of minutes and faced a very similar number of shots, but Earps’ shot-stopping has not been as strong, conceding 1.6 goals more than expected, based on the quality of shots faced.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
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Baty plays second base on days when Vientos starts at the hot corner, and Vientos gets DH days to get Baty at third.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2025
Verb
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Cameron flirted with a no-hitter in his first start and made MLB history with his numbers through two.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
24 May 2025
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Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 39 points on 15-of-23 shooting, while Tyrese Haliburton flirted with a triple-double with 14 points on 5-of-16 shooting, eight rebounds and 11 assists.—
Peter Sblendorio,
Hartford Courant,
24 May 2025
Verb
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Best Amazon Comfortable Shoe and Clothing Deals When traveling on assignment, my first packing priority is always comfortable shoes that can keep up with my busy schedule and not leave me with tired, achy feet at the end of the day.—
Aly Walansky,
Travel + Leisure,
24 May 2025
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That painting, Past Times (1997), appeared in Marshall’s traveling retrospective and was won by Combs, also known by the moniker Diddy, at Sotheby’s.—
Alex Greenberger for ARTNews,
Robb Report,
23 May 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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That's because psychological benefits are associated with having a college fund.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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The dog learns through repetition and rewards to associate smell with a person and follow the scent, building up in distance and the scent’s duration.—
Jan Goldsmith,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Bennet, who is now running for governor, and Tester largely ignored the protesters, who interjected throughout the event, as they were escorted out or asked by security not to disrupt.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
29 May 2025
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On the first half-court possession of the game, Boston ran a handoff with Sydney Colson on the wing, springing her for a clean jumper at the free-throw line.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
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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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
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If Korda happens to bond with his offspring, that’s a bonus.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2025
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The two are bonded forever, use catchphrases to communicate and care intensely about each other.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mess around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mess%20around. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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