MESSED AROUND Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

messed around

verb

past tense of mess around

as in played

to spend time in aimless activity spent the vacation day just messing around

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in flirted

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

as in associated

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

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 messed around Then in spring training this year, Hollowell again messed around with different changeup grips while incorporating mental cues from previous coaches, and something clicked with a circle-change grip. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026 Dragstrem, who focuses more on production, has messed around with it but was left unsatisfied; McGill, who’s more lyrics-driven, wants nothing to do with the tech. — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 30 May 2026 In the email, Dixon suggested that the fire department employee may have messed around with the department's equipment. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for messed around

Verb

Upon the Lincoln’s arrival in the morning, service members could be seen working aboard the deck as loudspeakers played announcements about the process for disembarkation.

— Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026
For Jaissle, a defensive midfielder who had preferably played in the Premier League was essential.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of played

Verb

Iowa flirted with a Playoff trip in 2015 but lost to Michigan State in the Big Ten title game.

— Antonio Morales, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
The president has repeatedly flirted with broadening the assault, hoping yet another round of bombardment might force Iran to yield.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of flirted

Verb

Niutech claims its process can accept low-value plastic waste without requiring the complex washing, sorting and drying processes commonly associated with recycling.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Gothenburg is particularly associated with seafood, thanks to its location on the North Sea-facing west coast, while its restaurant scene ranges from traditional fish restaurants to contemporary Nordic dining.

— David Nikel, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of associated

Verb

Remote club-to-club conversations had proved fruitless, so senior figures travelled by Eurostar to Lille and an initial €60m deal was struck on Monday.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Many of them then traveled to our city for the civil ceremony and reception.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of traveled

Verb

No balls were kicked around, but a first impression was made about a pitch that’s cropped tighter than a Pebble Beach fairway yet in impressive shape after four games over 11 days.

— Cam Inman, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
Near a door leading to a loading dock, a group of players on the host Vegas Golden Knights — including forward Mitch Marner, who went on to score a regulation hat trick in a 5-4 win — stood in a circle and kicked around a soccer ball.

— Peter Baugh, New York Times, 8 June 2026

Definition of kicked around

Verb

Imagine this chain as a string of tiny beads connected together.

— K. R. Prathyusha, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
In Washington Park, the original report that 10 people had been shot in the attack grew to 15 over the course of Sunday morning, as authorities connected the incident to people who had self-transported for medical treatment.

— Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of connected

Verb

Greer remains in critical condition in a coma, hooked up to a ventilator and feeding tube that are keeping her alive.

— Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Gilman had been moved from a prison to a civilian hospital, where he was hooked up to a feeding tube and handcuffed to a bed.

— CBS News, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of hooked up

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messed

messed around

messed over

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“Messed around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messed%20around. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of messed around

verb

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