toying
Playing without commitment
Toying is handling something idly or without serious intent.
You might toy with your food when you're not hungry, or toy with an idea you don't plan to pursue: She toyed with the notion of quitting her job.
To toy with someone is to treat them carelessly, often romantically: He was just toying with her affections.
Mock playfully
- dallianceBrief, casual romance
- coquetteTeasing, insincere charmer
- lead onFalsely encourage someone's hopes
- string alongDeceive by prolonging hope
play games · flirtation · courtship · advances · coyness · banter · entice · tantalize
Adjust restlessly; folk violin
- tinkerMender of metal household wares
- dabbleEngage superficially
- dallyLoiter without purpose
- mess aroundEngage in aimless activity
fool around · putter · trifle · play · idle · amuse · divert · frolic
Evaluative examination
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- exploreTravel to discover
- probeThorough examination or tool
- investigateSeek facts systematically
try out · sample · consider · weigh · entertain · speculate · hypothetical · tentative
Insulting provocation
- mockScornful imitation or fake
- needlePointed implement for sewing
- ribCurved chest bone
- kidChild or young goat
jest · provoke · goad · bait · poke fun · wind up · razz · chaff
Notable act or abuse
- usePut into service
- play withInteract recreationally with
- controlAuthority to direct
- deceiveCause false belief
scheme · maneuver · puppet · pawn · mind games · string along · emotional manipulation · power play
tease
Mock playfully
- dallianceBrief, casual romance
- coquetteTeasing, insincere charmer
- lead onFalsely encourage someone's hopes
string along · play games · flirtation · courtship · advances · coyness · banter · entice · tantalize · charm
fiddle
Adjust restlessly; folk violin
mess around · fool around · putter · trifle · play · idle · amuse · divert · frolic · romp
test
Evaluative examination
investigate · try out · sample · consider · weigh · entertain · speculate · hypothetical · tentative · noncommittal
taunt
Insulting provocation
kid · jest · provoke · goad · bait · poke fun · wind up · razz · chaff · good-natured
exploit
Notable act or abuse
deceive · scheme · maneuver · puppet · pawn · mind games · string along · emotional manipulation · power play · predatory
- fiddlingfiddling, fiddle, fiddler, fiddle tune, fiddle tunes
- dark patternsdark patterns, bait and switch, hidden fees, roach motel, misdirection
- horseplayroughhousing, hijinks, antics, horseplay, clowning around
- messing aroundfooling, goofing, goofing off, horsing around, messing with
toyingcommitting
Carrying out an act
dedicating · investing · applying oneself · concentrating · immersing
toyingcommitting
Carrying out an act
cherishing · respecting · honoring · valuing · treasuring
toyingdeciding
Making a choice
committing · acting · resolving · choosing · determining
- toying withCasually considering without commitment
toy, toys, plaything, toyed, playthings, toyshop, toylike, toyshops, toymaker