mess with

1. 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

The late Keith Whitley gets a shout-out in your song “Mess With Missing You,” which comes after Morgan Wallen sampled “Miami, My Amy” and Blake Shelton announced he’s making a Whitley documentary.

From Los Angeles Times

Responding to his comments, Mahmood said: "Whether you're a hostile state or a hostile billionaire no one gets to mess with British democracy."

From BBC

"I spent six months in prison, I was beaten, molested, left for dead. After all those trials, it's logical that people don't mess with me."

From BBC

He seemed like he was having a good time being America’s Top Creep, so why mess with that branding?

From Salon

The woman then leans forward and tries to take the driver’s coffee and mess with his other belongings, shouting, “Loser! That’s what you get, b—.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• annoy 
• badger 
• bedevil 
• hassle 
• hector 
• hound 
• irk 
• nag 
• tease 
• torment