1
as in hanging (around or out)
to spend time doing nothing
a tea house near campus where many university students could be seen hanging about
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in playing
to spend time in aimless activity
we'll be hanging about at the pub if you need us
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hanging about
In 2019, city employees began hanging about 500 trick-or-treat pumpkin buckets in the trees on Main Street every October.
—
Elliott Harrell, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2025
Orion Nebula Those viewing from a dark sky location may also notice a blurry patch of light hanging about 5 degrees below Orion's belt.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2025
The student was found hanging about 50 feet up in a tree with the open chute, Metro Nashville Police Department said on X Saturday.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
Elliott Harrell, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2025
Orion Nebula Those viewing from a dark sky location may also notice a blurry patch of light hanging about 5 degrees below Orion's belt.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2025
The student was found hanging about 50 feet up in a tree with the open chute, Metro Nashville Police Department said on X Saturday.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hanging about
Verb
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Baseball owners, with Dick Monfort playing a prominent role as a hawk in labor negotiations, are expected to lock out the players after this season, seeking a salary cap, believing that is the only reason the Dodgers win.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
12 Feb. 2026
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Back in 2013, Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez tore a ligament in his thumb while playing for the Dominican Republic.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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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,
Quanta Magazine,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Instead, the board opts for the happy-go-lucky concert attendee kicking back a beer or two as its foil to scary THC use.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
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There’s nothing wrong with spending your vacation at the beach, on a shopping spree in Paris or New York, or kicking back at a fishing cabin.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The group didn’t know much at all about golf course development, turning to Google and ChatGPT to figure out the footprint of an average golf course, and kicking around ideas amongst themselves about who to call about design and architecture.—
Erik Matuszewski,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Near where Cuin and Thiane were kicking around, Berkeley resident Marcelio Ramos banged his drum in preparation for the first draw.—
Mathew Miranda
December 5,
Sacbee.com,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Most people are messing around charging far too little for clients who don't appreciate them.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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No messing around — just wham, bam, thank you, GLAM!—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The contrast piping detail gives it something structured for the lounging expert, and takes the robe from being a symbol of laziness to a symbol of sustained self-care.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
2 Feb. 2026
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The pieces are made of a soft, wrinkle-resistant material that’s comfortable for traveling or lounging at home.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This can raise resting heart rate, increase weakness and fatigue, and reduce endurance—even during everyday activities, not just exercise.—
Katharine Gammon,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
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Dormant plants are alive but resting, while dead plants won’t recover and should be removed.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Authorities offer chilling new details Blood found on the home's front steps was confirmed to be Nancy Guthrie's, Nanos said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
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Freeze after chilling, if desired.—
Carla Lalli Music,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hanging about.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hanging%20about. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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