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
Examples Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of frivolous
Between 2012 and 2019 — with the courts inexplicably refusing to apply legal provisions ostensibly designed to prevent frivolous lawsuits such as Mann’s — we were forced to spend a considerable amount of time and money defending ourselves against his malicious, meritless suit.
—
The Editors, National Review, 10 Jan. 2025
Consider unexpected high-impact actions Many start by setting a goal to trim frivolous costs, which can certainly be helpful, but there are other ways to make a big difference.
—Nerdwallet, The Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2024
Díaz de la Portilla called the allegations false, and said the lawsuit is politically motivated and frivolous.
—Susan Merriam, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
What was once the norm may no longer be applicable, but that doesn't mean young people are being frivolous with their money.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for frivolous 
The Editors, National Review, 10 Jan. 2025
Consider unexpected high-impact actions Many start by setting a goal to trim frivolous costs, which can certainly be helpful, but there are other ways to make a big difference.
—Nerdwallet, The Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2024
Díaz de la Portilla called the allegations false, and said the lawsuit is politically motivated and frivolous.
—Susan Merriam, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
What was once the norm may no longer be applicable, but that doesn't mean young people are being frivolous with their money.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for frivolous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frivolous
Adjective
-
The other victims suffered smoke inhalation and other minor injuries.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
15 Jan. 2025
-
From large bills to minor daily purchases like coffee or snacks, diligently recording every transaction helps create a complete financial picture.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The Couple Next Door The Bottom Line PG-13 partner-swapping upstaged by silly thriller subplots.—
Daniel Fienberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Jan. 2025
-
In the unreliable reality the older Owen inhabits, his favorite childhood show was in fact silly, sloppy, and decidedly low-stakes.—
Samantha Allen,
Them,
14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Sitting in front of local leaders, Trump again wrongly blamed elements of the fire disaster on a lack of water resources coming from the Delta and environmental protections for the delta smelt, a small fish near extinction that has become a symbol of GOP frustration.—
Ari Plachta,
Sacramento Bee,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Imagine rewiring your belief in yourself even on a small stage, but in front of millions.—
Matthew Futterman,
The Athletic,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Ultimately, while The Substance got off to an intriguing start, the majority of the film and especially its goofy ending was mostly cheap shock value and amateurish satire built on the flimsiest premise imaginable.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
-
For three seasons in Laramie, Wyo., Allen heaved 75-yard bombs in practice, lived off Applebee’s and charmed teammates with his leadership style, a goofy sincerity and plenty of drinking games.—
Rustin Dodd,
The Athletic,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The case did little to diminish his reputation in the eyes of his successors.—
Jonathan M. Pitts,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Jan. 2025
-
Lots of style, sure, but ultimately, and perhaps ironically, very little substance.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
In my experience, even attempting to get a price estimate beforehand is often futile.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
15 Jan. 2025
-
Unnecessary pesticides are costly and often futile, and hey may kill beneficial insects and plants.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Out of a trivial tension, an intimate and unsettling face-to-face confrontation suddenly arises.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
16 Jan. 2025
-
Meanwhile, a small (but not trivial) minority of Republican spending hawks has been complaining that current levels of military spending are too high.—
Matthew Yglesias,
Twin Cities,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
But traveling with kids has a way of softening FOMO: those stone temples have been there for a millennium, and Tove will only be a giddy six-year-old for a heartbeat.—
Naomi Tomky,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2025
-
No one questioned Bondi’s experience Republicans were giddy when discussing the prospect of Bondi overseeing the Department of Justice.—
Kirby Wilson,
Miami Herald,
15 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near frivolous
Cite this Entry
“Frivolous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frivolous. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share