trifle 1 of 2

noun

ˈtrī-fəl How to pronounce trifle (audio)
Definition of triflenext
as in nothing
something of little importance let us not speak of trifles when our nation may be going to war

Synonyms & Similar Words

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trifle

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to flirt
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 to play
to spend time in aimless activity spent a lazy afternoon trifling on the front porch

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb trifle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of trifle are coquet, dally, flirt, and toy. While all these words mean "to deal with or act toward without serious purpose," trifle may imply playfulness, unconcern, indulgent contempt.

to trifle with a lover's feelings

When could coquet be used to replace trifle?

The meanings of coquet and trifle largely overlap; however, coquet implies attracting interest or admiration without serious intention.

companies that coquet with environmentalism solely for public relations

When might dally be a better fit than trifle?

The words dally and trifle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dally suggests indulging in thoughts or plans merely as an amusement.

dallying with the idea of building a boat someday

When is it sensible to use flirt instead of trifle?

The words flirt and trifle can be used in similar contexts, but flirt implies an interest or attention that soon passes to another object.

flirted with one fashionable ism after another

In what contexts can toy take the place of trifle?

Although the words toy and trifle have much in common, toy implies acting without full attention or serious exertion of one's powers.

a political novice toying with great issues

Example 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 trifle
Noun
This is mostly an odd trifle that, frankly, both of Streep and Soderbergh are better than. 27. — Tim Grierson, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025 Get The Recipe 09 of 12 Vanilla Chiffon Trifle Some say trifles look so impressive sitting on the buffet. — Patricia S York, Southern Living, 2 Feb. 2025
Verb
Arsenal might be informed that things could have ended differently had Arteta spent a trifling $120 million on a striker in January. — Rory Smith, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024 In the event, however, the Biden Justice Department prosecuted hundreds of people on trifling misdemeanor offenses that would never have been charged in normal cases untainted by partisan politics. — Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 9 Dec. 2023 See All Example Sentences for trifle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trifle
  1. nothing
  2. flirt
  3. play
  4. triviality
  5. doodle
Noun
  • My memoir was built of gaps, juxtaposition, weird little nothings.
    — Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 16 Dec. 2024
  • The one whose legs turned nothings into somethings, improvising the Lions’ entire defensive game plan into a pile of ash?
    — Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2024
Definition of nothing
Verb
  • Many White Lotus fans got an increasingly queasy feeling watching the siblings flirt with the boundaries of what is appropriate throughout the first half of Season 3.
    — Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025
  • After suffering two embarrassing losses to bottom-four teams each conference, the Knicks flirted with losing a third, blowing a substantial lead against the 15-win Wizards before pulling away with a 122-103 victory at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of flirt
Verb
  • Whitaker is played by Gerran Howell, who carried the title role on the CBBC's Young Dracula (2006–2014) before appearing on NBC's Emerald City (2017) and Hulu's adaptation of Joseph Heller's Catch-22 (2019).
    — Randall Colburn, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The trio finished with a 4-1 lead in shots and 10 hits between them while playing predominantly against the Stars’ second and fourth lines.
    — Murat Ates, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of play
Noun
  • As a society navigating the choppy waters of quick-draw feuds and biting vitriol—no matter the triviality or seriousness of the topic in question—we are often cowered into joining the chorus versus belting out a solo for fear of being singled out.
    — Christina L. Sgro, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • In other words, no drugs, alcohol abuse, tardiness, triviality, egocentricity.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025
Definition of triviality
Verb
  • For people who are just reading or doodling or watching TV, or for a kid who needs something basic but reliable for games and school and chatting?
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Martin doodled on a yellow canvas, drawing women’s faces in an abstract style.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of doodle

Phrases Containing trifle

Browse Nearby Words

trifectas
trifle
trifle (away)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trifle. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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