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Dictionary.com
Definitions

mess around

VERB
fiddle; goof off
Synonyms
WEAK
amuse oneself dabble dawdle doodle fool around loiter muck around play play around play the fool potter puddle putter tinker trifle
Antonyms
WEAK
labor toil work

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.

"Alan makes a good point about how everyone wants to mess around on the ball these days," Sutton explained.

From BBC • Nov. 13, 2025

“We have an ironclad rule at IMAX, which is that our word is our word and we won’t mess around with that,” the CEO said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025

“I am president, and he’s not going to mess around with me,” he added.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 14, 2025

How does it change the mess around for you?

From Salon • Aug. 22, 2024

They won’t mess around with trying to cure you.

From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood