Synonyms

mess with

Idioms

Interfere or associate with; also, annoy, bother. For example, Our group won't mess with those street musicians, or I told him not to mess with me or there would be trouble. [Colloquial; c. 1900]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mess with the data, confuse the algorithms and take back control, at least until the next “Knives Out” film drops.

From Salon

Of course Boyd was a mess, with butter all over his eyes and ears and up his nose, so Jolene had to take him home.

From Literature

It will mess with everyone’s heads.

From MarketWatch

In its 83rd year, the Golden Globes know not to mess with a good thing.

From Salon

Adam Sandler’s 2008 film “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan” is not among the comedian’s most noteworthy hits.

From Salon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023