1
as in to horse around
to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior
quit fooling around on the jungle gym, or you'll get hurt
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2
as in to play
to spend time in aimless activity
we fooled around outdoors for a while, then went in to get some work done
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Recent Examples of fool around
Down in the valley, Muriel skips work to fool around with her neighbor Sandra (Sasha Calle), a woman living openly as a lesbian despite the stigma.
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Jourdain Searles, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Of course, sometimes flirting or fooling around leads to more serious relationships.
—Katie Jackson, Outside Online, 14 Aug. 2024
This assumes precautions are in place, like lifting only when supervised; performing all movements with proper, strict, form; never fooling around and seeing who can lift the most weight, etc.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 18 July 2024
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Bored with that job as well, Newhart and a colleague began fooling around with fictional phone conversations.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 18 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for fool around 
Jourdain Searles, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Of course, sometimes flirting or fooling around leads to more serious relationships.
—Katie Jackson, Outside Online, 14 Aug. 2024
This assumes precautions are in place, like lifting only when supervised; performing all movements with proper, strict, form; never fooling around and seeing who can lift the most weight, etc.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 18 July 2024
Trump Has Promised to Do in a Second Term
The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time
The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
The 50 Worst Decisions in Movie History
Bored with that job as well, Newhart and a colleague began fooling around with fictional phone conversations.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 18 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for fool around
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fool around
Verb
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After five teenage boys are shown horsing around on a Malibu beach for a few seconds, the shot dissolves into Liam’s perfect coif, his unbuttoned shirt, his disarming smile.Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
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The Game of Thrones alum, 28, was seen horsing around with the British aristocrat at a polo match at his family's estate in West Sussex, England on Saturday, June 29.Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 3 July 2024
Verb
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The graduate student didn’t play in the season opener at Texas, only got in the game late against UNC, and played sparingly against CU before breaking out with a 156-yard, two-touchdown performance against UTEP.Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
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Mack played only a handful of snaps because of a groin injury.Elliott Teaford, Orange County Register, 10 Nov. 2024
Verb
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And past paintings, too, could be recycled, cut up and then reenlisted for new images.Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 5 Nov. 2024
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Each morning at 3 AM Lopez is at the Fulton Fish Market and all his orders are at the restaurant kitchen by 7 AM to be weighed and cut up, scaled and filleted.John Mariani, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
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That is good news for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), which puts on a spectacular show every fall to show off unique builds and trimmings that range from mild to wild.Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024
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The set creates three gingerbread figurines that are completely customizable, so everyone can show off their creativity.Clara McMahon, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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No need to mess around with bug spray thanks to this tiny machine that takes just 15 minutes to reach maximum protection, can work for up to nine hours straight, and covers a field of 20 feet to shield you from those pesky bugs.Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2024
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Not only does the gin contribute pine notes that echo evergreens that blanket 40 percent of the state, but the cocktail is, like Alaska itself, both starkly gorgeous and not here to mess around.Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 28 Sep. 2024
Verb
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Most asteroids hang about in the Mars to Jupiter region, and the ones near Earth obviously hang about a bit closer.Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 2 Oct. 2024
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The big picture: The nine-block shopping district got its own Art Deco-style sign on Monday, which now hangs about 25 feet in the air over Cary Street by Burtons Grill & Bar.Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 1 Oct. 2024
Verb
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But in 1954, Brando was at the height of his talents, bringing American acting up to and past to the British standard for the first time, with a realism achieved through that delicate balancing of gender qualities that pretty much no one before or after mastered in the same way.Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 23 July 2024
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Babies remain the last vestige of scoundrels in sequel terms, so naturally the movie introduces a son to Gru (voiced as usual by Steve Carell) and Lucy (Kristen Wiig) who, semi-amusingly, can’t stand his dad, screaming or acting up in some other way every time Gru picks him up.Brian Lowry, CNN, 2 July 2024
Verb
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The foursome kicked around names for their group – The Dream Team?Brian Martin, Orange County Register, 17 Oct. 2024
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Remember, Intel was recently reported to be kicking around ideas for the business, including a sale or spinoff.Pete Gannon, Axios, 16 Sep. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near fool around
Cite this Entry
“Fool around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fool%20around. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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