Fool with and Mess

Fool with

Fool with verb - To handle thoughtlessly, ignorantly, or mischievously.
Usage example: not a good idea to fool with power tools before you've read the manual

Mess and fool with are semantically related. in fiddle topic. In some cases you can use "Mess" instead a verb "Fool with".

Mess

Mess verb - To interest oneself in what is not one's concern.

Fool with and mess are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Fool with" instead a verb "Mess".

Nearby Words: messy, messed, messing

Mutual synonyms

Both terms in one sentence

  • The line "You can fool with your brother, But don't mess with a missionary man" in the chorus of the Eurythmics song "Missionary Man" implies that the singer has at least had thoughts in that direction, whether or not she's actually done anything.
Cite this Source
Mess and Fool with. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/fool_with/mess
Fool with & Mess. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/fool_with/mess>.
Mess or Fool with. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/fool_with/mess.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "fool with" and "mess" have occurred on timeline