play with; toy with; employ tricks
Meanings
4 senses · 8 examplesverb
to play with; to fiddle with; to toy with (objects)
Refers to physically handling objects for amusement or out of curiosity. Neutral or positive connotation.
The child is playing with building blocks.
He likes to sit there fiddling with the Rubik's cube.
verb
to play with; to toy with; to dally with (people or emotions, derogatory)
derogatoryImplies treating people, especially women or someone's feelings, insincerely or disrespectfully. Strongly negative connotation.
He is just playing with her emotions.
Any behavior that toys with women is unacceptable.
verb
to play with (words or rhetoric); to bandy about; to use for show
derogatoryRefers to using flowery or empty language without real substance, often implying affectation.
Apart from playing with rhetoric, this article has no substantial content.
He likes to play word games to confuse readers.
verb
to resort to; to employ; to use (tricks, schemes, or tactics)
derogatoryRefers to using cunning, deceptive, or manipulative methods, especially in politics or interpersonal relations.
He is adept at employing double-dealing tactics in politics.
The enemy vainly attempts to resort to conspiracies and tricks to sabotage our plans.