as in to cheat
to be sexually unfaithful
he hired a private detective because he thought his wife was screwing around
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Recent Examples of screw around
Mercedes is truly not screwing around with the new EQS.
—
Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 13 Apr. 2026
Simpson saw that all-too-rare phenomenon in Hollywood — somebody had no desire to screw around.
—Jay Glennie, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Ernesto and George were checking out the trailer, screwing around and being boys, the night Reynolds secretly came to the site to finish the plan.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
Although, die-hard Richard Mille lovers will notice this is the first time the brand has changed the iconic screws around the outer edge of the bezels to Torq set screws, which has head slots that are distinctive and different from the norm.
—Rebecca Suhrawardi, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024
But there’s still huge potential for rooftop solar, which can help cities stay powered when wildfires or other disruptions batter the larger electric grid — an increasingly common problem as the climate crisis screws around with global weather systems.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2023
Related Story Alexandra Daddario Posed Naked On IG Alexandra doesn’t screw around with her fitness.
—Korin Miller, Women's Health, 20 June 2023
Or to screw around in the sand?
—Pete Lyons, Car and Driver, 11 Mar. 2023
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
Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 13 Apr. 2026
Simpson saw that all-too-rare phenomenon in Hollywood — somebody had no desire to screw around.
—Jay Glennie, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Ernesto and George were checking out the trailer, screwing around and being boys, the night Reynolds secretly came to the site to finish the plan.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
Although, die-hard Richard Mille lovers will notice this is the first time the brand has changed the iconic screws around the outer edge of the bezels to Torq set screws, which has head slots that are distinctive and different from the norm.
—Rebecca Suhrawardi, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024
But there’s still huge potential for rooftop solar, which can help cities stay powered when wildfires or other disruptions batter the larger electric grid — an increasingly common problem as the climate crisis screws around with global weather systems.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2023
Related Story Alexandra Daddario Posed Naked On IG Alexandra doesn’t screw around with her fitness.
—Korin Miller, Women's Health, 20 June 2023
Or to screw around in the sand?
—Pete Lyons, Car and Driver, 11 Mar. 2023
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screw around
Verb
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The reportedly yearlong relationship is notable in that, after their split in 2015, Stocking posted and deleted tweets saying the basketball player cheated, per The New York Post.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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As OutKick previously reported, Megan broke off her relationship with the NBA star last week after accusing him of cheating.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And that's the way things went through the first, second and third rounds until the Raiders stepped out in the fourth round with the 101st pick to select McCoy.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
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Lauren Hutton was one of many to step out in the shade, spotted in a soft sage Bottega Veneta blazer outside the brand’s spring show.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Screw around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screw%20around. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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