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toying

toying

8.8
Playful teasing that tries to attract sexual attention
  • noun
  • /ˈtɔɪɪŋ/
  • Offensive
translation icon : coqueteo
  • His constant toying with her emotions eventually grew tiresome.

Examples

  • Some people enjoy a bit of toying in their romantic relationships to keep things exciting.

  • Her flirtatious toying left him confused about her true intentions.

  • She enjoys toying with his emotions.

  • His constant toying with her feelings is frustrating.

  • His toying with her affections made it hard for her to know how he truly felt.

  • She enjoyed toying with the idea of flirting, even though she was committed to someone else.

  • His toying demeanor made it clear that he was only joking around and not serious.

Synonyms

flirting
vstoying
43 3.5

Playful or romantic behavior that shows interest in someone

is general playful arousal intent not necessarily romantic commitment
flirtation
vstoying
28 3.5

Playful behaviour to show romantic or sexual interest

is broader playfulness aimed at sexual arousal rather than courtship focus
dalliance
vstoying
  • NSFW
8 9.3

Playful romantic behavior with sexual hints for a short time

is ongoing playful arousal behavior rather than a single brief episode
slap and tickle
vstoying
  • NSFW
2 8.9

Playful touching between people who are flirting

is playful arousal behavior not necessarily physical or intimate
flirtatiousness
vstoying
1 6.7

Playful way of acting that shows romantic or sexual interest in another person

is direct arousal focused play rather than a mere hint of interest
teasing
vstoying
  • Offensive
1 7.0

Acting to show sexual interest without wanting to continue

is playful behavior aimed to arouse rather than to satisfy desire
coquetry
vstoying
  • NSFW
1 9.5

Playful behavior to attract someone in a romantic way

is teasing play meant to arouse rather than general social charm
coquettishness
vstoying
9.1

Playful behavior, like smiling and teasing, that tries to attract romantic interest

is playful arousal with sexual intent rather than casual friendliness
provocativeness
vstoying
  • NSFW
7.9

A quality that makes people feel sexual interest

is playful action aimed to arouse rather than just suggestive quality

Antonyms

53 2.7

A calm and honest way of speaking or acting that shows you mean what you say

How Suggestive

seduction
6 5.6
to proposition
  • Offensive
10 8.5
toying
  • Offensive
8.8
flirting
43 3.5
teasing
2.7

Surface Forms

toying singular
toyings plural

Morphology

toying = toy (transparent) = toy + ing

The noun sense is a gerund/nominalization of the verb 'toy' formed with '-ing', and the meaning ('playing/teasing') is directly derived.

Etymology

Toying comes from the simple word toy, which originally meant a 'small, playful object' and whose verb form meant 'to play' or 'to treat lightly'. So to 'toy' with someone's feelings is like treating them as a plaything, which explains the modern sense of playful, teasing behavior that can flirt or show sexual interest.