toy with

phrasal verb

toyed with; toying with; toys with

: to think about (something) briefly and not very seriously

I toyed with the idea of moving to France but ended up staying here.

: to move or touch (something) with one's fingers often without thinking

She toyed with her hair while she talked on the phone.

: to deal with or control (someone or something) in a clever and usually unfair or selfish way

Do you really love me, or are you just toying with me?

Don't toy with my emotions.

Examples of toy with in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The company’s also been toying with the idea of building a new GT for years now, even unveiling a four-door concept called the 16 C Galbier in 2009. —

Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 24 June 2024 Capacitive Capture Button According to MacRumors, Apple toyed with a capacitive touch button on the exterior of the iPhone 15, but the project didn't come together in time. —

Chloe Albanesius, PCMAG, 20 June 2024 In a Violent Nature is proof that even just toying with conventions can have exciting results. —

A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 31 May 2024 One night in Memphis, Mr. James was toying with melodies on his Fender guitar and Hammond organ. —

Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 15 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for toy with

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'toy with.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.