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
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
But Zendaya doesn’t screw around in her workouts.
—Korin Miller, Women's Health, 27 Feb. 2023
Our gas giants don't screw around.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 30 Apr. 2012
Using the Internet like this to screw around with Putin’s image, by the way, is also a little reminiscent of something else along these lines.
—Andy Meek, BGR, 13 July 2022
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
But Zendaya doesn’t screw around in her workouts.
—Korin Miller, Women's Health, 27 Feb. 2023
Our gas giants don't screw around.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 30 Apr. 2012
Using the Internet like this to screw around with Putin’s image, by the way, is also a little reminiscent of something else along these lines.
—Andy Meek, BGR, 13 July 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screw around
Verb
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Unlike the previous Final Destination Bloodlines films, however, death not only comes for the specific individuals who cheated death, but for generations of relatives in the survivors’ bloodlines.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
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Call to police started over cheating feud According to the criminal complaints: The woman began fighting the day before the shooting because of Jones' infidelity.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Heathrow Simmons Perry has only stepped out of those core family roles once to portray Madea’s paraplegic brother, Heathrow Simmons, in A Madea Family Funeral in 2019.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
15 July 2025
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Volunteer for projects, participate meaningfully in discussions and share new ideas, and step out of your comfort zone.—
Kathy Caprino,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Screw around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screw%20around. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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