1
as in minor
lacking importance
judges are getting sick of people bringing frivolous lawsuits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in silly
lacking in seriousness or maturity
when asked by the waiter if we wanted anything else that evening, we made a frivolous request for free drinks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frivolous
Legal observers say the strength of Trump's cases ranged from weak (ABC) to frivolous (Meta and CBS).
—
David Folkenflik, NPR, 11 Feb. 2025
The numerous free, detailed annual wealth management reports from PwC, Capgemini and UBS all have pages devoted to these pastimes, which were once regarded as frivolous and wasteful.
—Mike Hanlon, New Atlas, 3 Feb. 2025
Zoom out: The new Trump administration is on the warpath against what officials say is frivolous government spending, with Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leading the charge.
—Erin Doherty, Axios, 3 Feb. 2025
Joyful or life-affirming activities (say, hobbies like painting or baking) or things that lift your spirits (such as exercise or meditation) might seem frivolous in the face of pressing caregiver responsibilities.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frivolous
David Folkenflik, NPR, 11 Feb. 2025
The numerous free, detailed annual wealth management reports from PwC, Capgemini and UBS all have pages devoted to these pastimes, which were once regarded as frivolous and wasteful.
—Mike Hanlon, New Atlas, 3 Feb. 2025
Zoom out: The new Trump administration is on the warpath against what officials say is frivolous government spending, with Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leading the charge.
—Erin Doherty, Axios, 3 Feb. 2025
Joyful or life-affirming activities (say, hobbies like painting or baking) or things that lift your spirits (such as exercise or meditation) might seem frivolous in the face of pressing caregiver responsibilities.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frivolous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frivolous
Adjective
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The availability of Michael Porter Jr While the 6'10 forward is, somewhat ironically, out these days with a minor hamstring injury, his overall availability this season - and last - has offered a major boost to the Nuggets.—
Morten Stig Jensen,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
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Prosecutors alleged Rocky pointed a gun at Relli and shot at him, causing minor injuries.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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My long-distance boyfriend often addressed letters with silly names or in-jokes.—
A.S. King,
TIME,
21 Feb. 2025
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Altuve, Espada and everyone in between are stressing the fluidity of a situation that once seemed silly but is transforming into one of baseball’s most fascinating storylines.—
Chandler Rome,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The gigs in smaller rooms than Simon has typically played, will allow the singer to perform the songs from Seven Psalms live for the first time.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
18 Feb. 2025
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Hang it in a small bathroom for over-the-toilet storage or in the laundry room for detergent and stain removers—this versatile cabinet can do it all.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Able to be goofy, which is the opposite of what a lot of Black women are portrayed as on television.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
23 Feb. 2025
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Image Wood’s critique — the way technology has left us prone to dysfunctional loneliness — is trenchant, but his approach is fundamentally goofy.—
Ismail Muhammad,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Many Manchester United supporters still lament the removal of the words ‘Football Club’ from the crest in 1998 — controversial at the time, but the same words or the initials ‘F.C.’ are now regularly dispensed with little comment.—
Mark Critchley,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
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The sidewalks have been cleared of snow by little sidewalk snowplows.—
Joseph O’Neill,
The New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Any reconstruction effort would be futile if a fragile ceasefire in Gaza fails, plunging the territory back to war.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN,
21 Feb. 2025
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Since kids learn by example, Winston notes that telling kids to put down their phones is futile if parents don’t do the same.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
So that seems to apply even to sports, something that seems kind of trivial.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
9 Feb. 2025
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Identifying whether a stock will rise or fall and when that move will happen are not trivial questions.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The walls were giddy with patterned paper and hung with vintage portraits of busty women.—
Julie Lasky,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
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As for the Democrats, their marching in defense of a regime change tool that Trump's base is giddy to destroy is extraordinary, but unsurprising.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
13 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frivolous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frivolous. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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