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messing around

NOUN
dalliance
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fling
STRONG
affair relationship seduction toying
WEAK
a little on the side amorous play carrying-on fooling around frolicking hanky-panky working late at office
Antonyms
WEAK
hastening hurrying push rush

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They need to know you’re not messing around.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

Naylor, meanwhile, says he was just messing around.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

While sharing a photo of the table, Jenner revealed that she actually had a mishap with it while messing around with her kids.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 30, 2025

They call out answers loudly, write on the board, sing songs and there are even a few naughty kids messing around at the back of the class.

From BBC • Oct. 15, 2025

Tally definitely didn’t want to get caught messing around with fire alarms, in case the wardens connected her to a certain incident in New Pretty Town back at the beginning of summer.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld