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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

“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

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

"People my age—thirteen—have private stuff, and they don't want their little brothers messing around with it."

From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry