1
as in minor
lacking importance
deciding what you want to do for a living is no trifling matter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in slight
so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention
trifling differences between the theatrical and DVD versions of the movie
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in flirting
to show a sexual attraction for someone just for fun
do not trifle with me unless you mean to ask me to marry you
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in playing
to spend time in aimless activity
spent a lazy afternoon trifling on the front porch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of trifling
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2024
The cost to find these answers, even in the near term, is relatively trifling.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2023
Aside from bacteria, the smallest genome belongs to the intestinal parasite Encephalitozoon intestinalis, with a trifling 2.3 billion base pairs.
—Kirsten Weir, Discover Magazine, 12 June 2011
Growing immunity against the coronavirus, repeatedly reinforced by vaccines and infections, could eventually tame COVID into a sickness as trifling as the common cold or, at worst, one on par with the seasonal flu.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2022
Specific as Ozon’s approach here may be (nothing feels accidental or arbitrary), his lovingly made curio, which often borrows verbatim from its predecessor, comes off a bit tired and trifling.
—Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2022
Bonus: these tweets are usually about the most trifling and hilarious pop culture moments, so ... win win!
—Danielle Young, The Root, 2 June 2017
Adjective
And yet the movie’s insularity feels trifling and empty.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2024
The cost to find these answers, even in the near term, is relatively trifling.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2023
Aside from bacteria, the smallest genome belongs to the intestinal parasite Encephalitozoon intestinalis, with a trifling 2.3 billion base pairs.
—Kirsten Weir, Discover Magazine, 12 June 2011
Growing immunity against the coronavirus, repeatedly reinforced by vaccines and infections, could eventually tame COVID into a sickness as trifling as the common cold or, at worst, one on par with the seasonal flu.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2022
Specific as Ozon’s approach here may be (nothing feels accidental or arbitrary), his lovingly made curio, which often borrows verbatim from its predecessor, comes off a bit tired and trifling.
—Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2022
Bonus: these tweets are usually about the most trifling and hilarious pop culture moments, so ... win win!
—Danielle Young, The Root, 2 June 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trifling
Adjective
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The primary response is to make aesthetic tweaks and minor comfort improvements.Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025
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Following a minor car accident in Charlotte, Dalton was sidelined with a thumb injury, and Young returned to the starting lineup.Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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California saw a slight decrease in unemployment from October to November 2024, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
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The major concern with Johnson in his first two pro seasons was that his slight frame would have trouble surviving against larger, more physical players.Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Pacers are flirting with the luxury tax.Tony East, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
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The drama is contagious because Lexi is going after Ciara because Jesse Solomon keeps flirting with her.Brian Moylan, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Further factions emerge from there, as people start playing the game within the Squid Game, forming pockets of friendships and alliances, real and fake.Ben Travers, IndieWire, 26 Dec. 2024
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Then something strange happened — the Falcons started playing like one of the best defenses in the league.Josh Kendall, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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As of publishing, the Palisades and Eaton fires have burned for six days—with a handful of smaller fires, like the Kenneth Fire and Hurst Fire breaking out as well.Kristin Jenny, Outside Online, 13 Jan. 2025
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Reata at the Rodeo, a smaller but no less impressive version of the Southwestern steakhouse in downtown Fort Worth, will open at 11 a.m. Jan. 17 and will serve all day most days.Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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While some of the nominees fall far afield from the norms—Hegseth, Gabbard, and RFK Jr. are the marquee names in that cohort, for sure—the bulk will face only nominal opposition from Democrats.Philip Elliott, TIME, 8 Jan. 2025
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Of course, all the good deeds in the world can’t buy your way into heaven, but as a nominal Catholic, Biden may have been persuaded by the Pope to commute the sentences.Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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What To Know Trump pointed to tariffs as a potential reason for Trudeau's resignation in a post to Truth Social on Monday afternoon, but one expert told Newsweek that his resignation had little to do with tariffs.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
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The grand tourer had a lot to live up to but had little trouble doing so thanks to its sleek exterior and potent Colombo V-12.Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The risk for the United States is high: The next few years could easily see American politics descend into cruel, petty vengefulness, or worse.Ivan Krastev, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025
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Shoplifters and petty thieves can also be put on probation for up to two years instead of one, and individuals under 25 can be referred to rehab programs.Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 2 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near trifling
Cite this Entry
“Trifling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trifling. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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