messing around

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

“If you’re a company who’s messing around with these types of practices on consumers, you’re watching how well they work,” said Lindsay Owens, executive director of Groundwork Collaborative, a progressive think tank.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

Naylor, meanwhile, says he was just messing around.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

Outside, a group of parents sat around long picnic tables, ignoring their kids who were messing around in the dirt.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 10, 2025

It was strange to see him messing around them on Saturday mornings, taking off the dead leaves and giving them water.

From "Miracle's Boys" by Jacqueline Woodson