MESSES AROUND Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

messes around

verb

present tense third-person singular of mess around

as in plays

to spend time in aimless activity spent the vacation day just messing around

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in flirts

to show a sexual attraction for someone just for fun a guy who goes to the health club mainly to mess around with the women

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in travels

to come or be together as friends if you continue to mess around with such narrow-minded boobs, you'll begin to think and act like them

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of messes around Other standouts include a Maybelline mascara and a Black and Decker handheld vacuum, which makes quick work of small messes around the house and in the car. — Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for messes around

Verb

The rear tire plays a different role from its conventional use on roads.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
But the technology operating above Earth plays an enormous role in everyday life.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of plays

Verb

Between Jordan’s charm and Misty’s smile that only emerges around him, the film flirts with becoming a romantic comedy.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Hal flirts with Kerry; John has an affair with Zoe (Poorna Jagannathan), the wife of William Macon (Garret Dillahunt), a local cattle mogul whose compound has more high tech weaponry than a mere human would seem to need.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of flirts

Verb

The Orionid meteor shower activity peaks when Earth travels through the densest section of the debris trail left by Comet 1P/Halley.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Health data travels from home medical devices through applications, cloud platforms and hospital systems before reaching a clinician, and each step widens the digital footprint.

— Ayush Jain, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of travels

Verb

Though the sisters are supposedly first-generation Italian American, no whiff of the old country hangs about Kay; Dorothy will at least spit out a few words in Italian.

— Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Turquoise pearl, and azure line the space, and a cylindrical hanging light sculpture made of hundreds of white and gold ceramic fish hangs about the lounge seating area.

— Kristin Braswell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026

Definition of hangs about

Verb

Innova also associates afternoon snacking specifically with satisfaction, while other dayparts lean toward refreshment or indulgence.

— Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
The Shiji associates Sun Tzu with Wu’s campaigns against its powerful rival Chu, including the campaign that culminated in the capture of the Chu capital, Ying, in 506 bce.

— Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of associates

Verb

Cade Depriest hooks up with a Gunn again for 34 yards and Winter Park is on the move back inside the red zone.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
Tony contains details directly pulled from Kitchen Confidential, including a memorable moment in which one of the cooks (Leo Woodall) hooks up with a bride who visits the restaurant immediately following her own wedding.

— Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of hooks up

Verb

Cooking itself has become another way Jessie James Decker connects with her children.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
For her, the meticulous care behind every bottle of extra virgin olive oil ultimately connects back to a larger philosophy about beauty and health.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of connects

Verb

In one sequence, Jay bonds with a wayward jellyfish — much like Tom Hanks with his volleyball, Wilson, in Castaway.

— Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2026
The young man who bonds with the ghost of his a–hole father while trapped in a gooey cushion of whale intestines stays with the ghost of his a–hole father.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of bonds

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messes

messes around

messes over

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“Messes around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messes%20around. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of messes around

verb

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