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 with
Mess with verb - To handle thoughtlessly, ignorantly, or mischievously.
Usage example: please don't mess with the buttons on the camera
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.
Source: Brother Sister Incest / Music
Cite this Source
Mess with and Fool with. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/fool_with/mess_with
Fool with & Mess with. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/fool_with/mess_with>.
Mess with or Fool with. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/fool_with/mess_with.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "fool with" and "mess with" have occurred on timeline