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
The Lakers weren’t messing around during the film sessions or practices.
—
Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Crusty on the outside and gooey on the inside, this sandwich doesn't mess around.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
While the directors mess around with genre in each chapter and the cast differs from story to story, the six narratives are given a sense of consistency courtesy of the unique Coen voice.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Apr. 2026
Following the global success of The Housemaid, Lionsgate is not messing around with its upcoming sequel.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mess around
Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Crusty on the outside and gooey on the inside, this sandwich doesn't mess around.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
While the directors mess around with genre in each chapter and the cast differs from story to story, the six narratives are given a sense of consistency courtesy of the unique Coen voice.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Apr. 2026
Following the global success of The Housemaid, Lionsgate is not messing around with its upcoming sequel.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mess around
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess around
Verb
-
After Tuesday’s game at Miami, the Braves have two more divisional games with the Marlins yet to play, followed by a home series against a hot-hitting Washington Nationals team (also within the division) this weekend.—
Ken Sugiura,
AJC.com,
20 May 2026
-
Charles Melton plays an American GI named Private K who’s trying to locate his daughter and keeps getting into bloody altercations.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
There is a significant amount of character lore and backstory to establish, much of it flirting with archetypes.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
20 May 2026
-
Throughout the first season, Margo’s Got Money Troubles has flirted with fantasy in many different ways.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
He was joined by about 10 Ukrainian service members who traveled to Chicago for Memorial Day weekend.—
Rebecca Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
Trump was joined at the White House by Vice President JD Vance, who traveled to Pakistan last month to negotiate directly with the Iranians.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Another horny couple on vacation couldn’t wait until their flight landed to fool around and insisted on doing so in the plane's cabin.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
And this fool is taking it with the fools around him.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Many people still associate these feelings of modern belonging with the loftiest human possibilities; hence the powerful emotions that are generated when they are brought together—at the Olympic Games, for instance, or the United Nations headquarters in New York.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
Anger is not an emotion typically associated with Jeffries.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Made from a breathable, sweat-wicking fabric, these versatile pants are perfect for light activities like long walks, warm-ups, running errands, and busy travel days.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
-
Lollipops in every shape and size, run like fence posts throughout the tables.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Though the sisters are supposedly first-generation Italian American, no whiff of the old country hangs about Kay; Dorothy will at least spit out a few words in Italian.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
On set, the actress bonded with her costars, including grabbing a glass of wine with Palmer, 32, and listening to then-pregnant Paige's baby's heartbeat.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
The show is designed to teach life skills through music, from trying new veggies to winding down for bed, with songs and content that have become a go-to resource for millions of parents looking to learn and bond with their children.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mess around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mess%20around. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
