Toying

The act of playing with or manipulating something without serious intent or commitment, often for amusement, experimentation, or the purpose of testing boundaries. It implies a lack of seriousness, a casual approach, and potentially a degree of risk-taking, whether regarding objects, ideas, feelings, or situations. The engagement may be lighthearted or even cynical, but generally involves a degree of detachment from the consequences of the interaction. It can also suggest a manipulation or exploitation of something for personal gain, often with a lack of genuine empathy or concern for the subject involved.

Toying meaning with examples

• The cat was toying with the feather, batting it playfully across the floor before pouncing. Its movements were quick and agile, showing no intent of real harm. It was purely enjoying the game. The bird toy was perfect for entertainment, keeping her amused for hours. She was in her own little world, completely focused on her harmless game and her own amusement.
• He was just toying with the idea of moving abroad, reading articles and looking at properties, but he hadn't made any concrete plans. It was more of a thought experiment than a serious life decision. Considering the benefits was exciting, but the actual move seemed like a challenge he wasn't ready for. He was at the point of playing with it.
• The politician was accused of toying with the voters' emotions, making promises he had no intention of keeping. His actions were seen as a cynical attempt to garner support, disregarding the impact on people. His empty promises were very hurtful. He was simply exploiting peoples trust for personal gain and a bit of ego.
• She was toying with the settings on the new camera, experimenting with different filters and modes. It was a fun way for her to explore its capabilities. She adjusted the aperture, played with the ISO, and tried many of the new features. There was no objective, just an attempt to explore it's full capabilities.