1
as in played
to engage in activity for amusement
the cat toyed with the mouse it had caught, batting it about
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in flirted
to show a sexual attraction for someone just for fun
likes to toy with men whom she has no intention of actually dating
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of toyed
Nevertheless, he's repeatedly toyed openly about the idea of running again in 2028.
—
Joey Garrison, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
According to Wolpe, Billie toyed around with the placement of their bush on the terracotta planter in the shape of a woman in a sports bra and ponytail.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Joey Garrison, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
According to Wolpe, Billie toyed around with the placement of their bush on the terracotta planter in the shape of a woman in a sports bra and ponytail.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toyed
Verb
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The Pro Football Hall of Famer who played 17 years for the Miami Dolphins is widely considered to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, served as an analyst for The NFL Today on CBS for over a decade and most importantly was in a movie with Jim Carrey and an actual dolphin.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Aduba, 44, played famous detective Cordelia Cupp, who was determined to solve an unexpected murder at the White House, in The Residence.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Koufax had flirted with pitching greatness.—
Steve Futterman,
NPR,
9 Sep. 2025
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The company flirted with bankruptcy.—
Kyle Westaway,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The growing beauty also recreated one of her mom’s photos, posing by the pool in a swimsuit next to some Louis Vuitton bags.—
Essence,
Essence,
15 Sep. 2025
-
In the summer of 1969 — weeks before the first humans walked on the moon — Manabe and Bryan recreated the Earth.—
Zack Savitsky,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Long Walk takes place in a disillusioned America that is entertained by a competition called The Long Walk— a challenge in which 50 teenage boys walk continuously without rest.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
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My daughter isn’t responsible for keeping nephew entertained.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Toyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toyed. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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