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Definitions

play with

VERB
finger
Synonyms
STRONG
feel fiddle grope handle manipulate palpate paw thumb
WEAK
toy with
Antonyms
STRONGEST
maul
WEAK
manhandle
VERB
tinker
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dabble mess
STRONG
doodle fix monkey niggle play puddle putter repair toy
WEAK
mess with muck about take apart trifle with
Antonyms
STRONG
break destroy work
WEAK
leave alone
VERB
trifle
Synonyms
STRONG
coquet dabble dally dawdle dilly-dally doodle fidget flirt fool fritter idle loiter lollygag lounge misuse monkey palter philander play potter putter squander toy twiddle wanton waste
WEAK
amuse oneself be insincere fool around fool with fribble futz around horse around indulge in lead on mess with monkey with play games with string along use up waste time wink at
Antonyms
STRONG
hasten hoard hurry push rush save 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.

In music, we’ve seen chart toppers from artists such as Sabrina Carpenter, Lil Nas X, and Sam Smith and Kim Petras play with occult imagery.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2026

The show will definitely play with time in Season 3.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Earlier this week, fans got a glimpse of him swinging a club when he played in the TGL, the upstart league that combines simulator play with live action golf.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

"Estevao would play with the ball, the dog tried to get it, and he'd keep dribbling past the dog," said Serginho.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Someone who would play with you anytime you wanted.

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.