as in to cheat
to be sexually unfaithful
he hired a private detective because he thought his wife was screwing around
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Recent Examples of screw around
Ernesto and George were checking out the trailer, screwing around and being boys, the night Reynolds secretly came to the site to finish the plan.
—
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
Although, die-hard Richard Mille lovers will notice this is the first time the brand has changed the iconic screws around the outer edge of the bezels to Torq set screws, which has head slots that are distinctive and different from the norm.
—Rebecca Suhrawardi, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024
But there’s still huge potential for rooftop solar, which can help cities stay powered when wildfires or other disruptions batter the larger electric grid — an increasingly common problem as the climate crisis screws around with global weather systems.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2023
Related Story Alexandra Daddario Posed Naked On IG Alexandra doesn’t screw around with her fitness.
—Korin Miller, Women's Health, 20 June 2023
Or to screw around in the sand?
—Pete Lyons, Car and Driver, 11 Mar. 2023
But Zendaya doesn’t screw around in her workouts.
—Korin Miller, Women's Health, 27 Feb. 2023
Our gas giants don't screw around.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 30 Apr. 2012
Using the Internet like this to screw around with Putin’s image, by the way, is also a little reminiscent of something else along these lines.
—Andy Meek, BGR, 13 July 2022
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
Although, die-hard Richard Mille lovers will notice this is the first time the brand has changed the iconic screws around the outer edge of the bezels to Torq set screws, which has head slots that are distinctive and different from the norm.
—Rebecca Suhrawardi, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024
But there’s still huge potential for rooftop solar, which can help cities stay powered when wildfires or other disruptions batter the larger electric grid — an increasingly common problem as the climate crisis screws around with global weather systems.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2023
Related Story Alexandra Daddario Posed Naked On IG Alexandra doesn’t screw around with her fitness.
—Korin Miller, Women's Health, 20 June 2023
Or to screw around in the sand?
—Pete Lyons, Car and Driver, 11 Mar. 2023
But Zendaya doesn’t screw around in her workouts.
—Korin Miller, Women's Health, 27 Feb. 2023
Our gas giants don't screw around.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 30 Apr. 2012
Using the Internet like this to screw around with Putin’s image, by the way, is also a little reminiscent of something else along these lines.
—Andy Meek, BGR, 13 July 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screw around
Verb
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Iran's response: cheating and hiding its nuclear weapons program; sprinting toward a bomb; and trying to assassinate senior American officials, including President Trump.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
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Trouble is, the elder Broadway managed to cheat St. Christopher out of his share of the plunder.—
Joe Leydon,
Variety,
13 June 2025
Verb
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On Sunday evening, Broadway’s best stepped out showcasing bold beauty looks from glittery eyes to bright red lips and large updos to Old Hollywood curls.—
Emily Burns,
Footwear News,
9 June 2025
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On Friday, June 6, the Prince of Wales, 42, and Duchess of Edinburgh, 60, stepped out together to attend The Royal Cornwall Show in Wadebridge, Cornwall.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Screw around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screw%20around. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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