Monkey with
Monkey with verb - To handle thoughtlessly, ignorantly, or mischievously.
Usage example: don't monkey with that broken lawnmower
Play and monkey with are semantically related. in toy with topic. In some cases you can use "Play" instead a verb "Monkey with".
Play
Play verb - To engage in activity for amusement.
Both terms in one sentence
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Obeying the rules of play are a whole other issue: A dog is physically incapable of dribbling a basketball and there is no known ape or monkey with legs properly developed to kick a soccer ball.
Source: Animal Athlete Loophole
Cite this Source
Play and Monkey with. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/monkey_with/play
Monkey with & Play. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/monkey_with/play>.
Play or Monkey with. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/monkey_with/play.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "monkey with" and "play" have occurred on timeline