screw around

verb

screwed around; screwing around; screws around
Synonyms of screw aroundnext

intransitive verb

1
: to waste time with unproductive activity : dally
2
: to have sexual relations with someone outside of a marriage or steady relationship : be sexually promiscuous

Synonyms of screw around

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Examples of screw around in a Sentence

he hired a private detective because he thought his wife was screwing around
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The way the Padres screw around this time of year is maddening. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2026 What if some big musician is screwing around at sound check and sings one of [Spinal Tap’s] songs. — Melinda Newman, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019 Mercedes is truly not screwing around with the new EQS. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 13 Apr. 2026 The informative thing was Lestat screwing around with me. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for screw around

Word History

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of screw around was in 1935

Rhymes for screw around

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Browse Nearby Words

screw arbor
screw around
screw auger
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Cite this Entry

“Screw around.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screw%20around. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

screw around

verb
1
: to waste time with unproductive activity : dally
2
: to have sexual relations with someone outside of a marriage
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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