flippant

adjective

flip·pant ˈfli-pənt

Synonyms of flippant next

: lacking proper respect or seriousness

archaic : glib, talkative

flippantly adverb

Did you know?

Does flippant Have a Positive or Negative Connotation?

Flippant is believed to come from flip, which, in turn, is a supposed imitation of the sound of something flipping. The earliest senses of the adjective are "nimble" and "limber." One can be flippant not only on one's feet but in speech—that is to say, their words flow easily. Such flippancy was considered a good thing at first; however, people who speak freely can sometimes seem too talkative, and even impertinent. The positive sense of flippant has slipped from use, but the "disrespectful" sense still flows.

Examples of flippant in a Sentence

As far as he was concerned, we were an unforgivably flippant bunch. Louche. Our shared political stance … struck him as pathetically naive. —

Mordecai Richler, GQ, November 1997

… although she is neither solemn nor pontifical, she may be the least flippant advice columnist in the business. —

Ray Olson, Booklist, 1 May 1991

Despite its flippant name, the Greed Index has proven a remarkably prescient barometer of the market during the past 16 years. —

Richard E. Rustin, Wall Street Journal, 29 May 1984

He made a flippant response to a serious question. his flippant comment that the poor save on taxes offended many people

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The fact that she was sent home first (and met her elimination with a characteristically flippant and dismissive attitude). —

EW.com, 4 Dec. 2024 The five words that make up the album title aren't random or flippant. —

Melonee Hurt, The Tennessean, 16 May 2024 The flippant response to the assassination of a health care executive is a symptom of a far deeper societal wound — a systemic failure that threatens the very foundation of our democratic promise. —

Dave Catalfamo, New York Daily News, 19 Dec. 2024 If the question reads as flippant, it’s meant to be. —

John Tamny, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for flippant