The phrase "played with" is commonly used to describe how someone interacts with a particular object or activity. However, there are many synonyms that can be used to convey the same meaning. For instance, one could say that they "toyed around with" the object or "fiddled with" it. Alternatively, they could "tinker with" it or "experimented" with it. Other options include "messed around with," "handled," "explored," "experimented," "manipulated," "dabbled," "interacted with," "fussed with," "worked with," "played around with," or "mucked about with." Ultimately, choosing the right synonym for "played with" depends on the context and tone of the sentence.