TINKERED Synonyms: 29 Similar and Opposite Words

tinkered

verb

past tense of tinker

as in diddled (with)

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tinkered

Verb

When a power outage knocked out a third of San Francisco’s traffic lights last December, at least 60 Waymos abruptly idled mid-road, causing severe gridlock and delays.

— Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2026
The former home of Belden had a commercial use in recent years and idled for six years before being acquired by his group.

— Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of idled

Verb

But, lucky for anyone who dawdled, many of the deals are still active.

— Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 June 2026
Flight attendants turned into drill sergeants, barking at passengers who flouted mask rules or dawdled too long eating that snack with the mask off.

— Thomas Black, Twin Cities, 21 Dec. 2025

Definition of dawdled

Verb

There’s an outdoor kids club with a schedule of activities and a babysitting service, but most youngsters looked happy enough playing on the sand while parents lounged nearby or got involved in the digging.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
Laughing, smoking cigarettes, and sipping bottles of Red Stripe, numerous packs of Black folks lounged around the joint.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of lounged

Verb

Furthermore, Real Madrid has also dallied over potentially buying Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
The full-backs, meanwhile, took their time from throw-ins, ensuring team-mates behind the ball were secure and Emiliano Martinez, who produced a second spellbinding save in as many visits to Nottingham, dallied from goal kicks.

— Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 1 May 2026

Definition of dallied

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.

Browse Nearby Words

tinker

tinkered

tinkered (with)

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tinkered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tinkered. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of tinkered

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes