trifle 1 of 2

trifle

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verb

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
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 Hello Fresh's specialty kit included ingredients and step-by-step recipe cards to create both a shepherd’s pie and a classic English trifle. Ew Staff, EW.com, 28 Nov. 2024
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
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
Verb
  • Instead, Steven Kwan flirted with .400 at one point before finishing with a .292 average.
    Johnny Flores Jr., New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Fewer bonding experiences: Dancing, flirting, laughing over drinks — these are all ways humans historically release stress and build intimacy, even in short bursts.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Engage Your Senses In a shared office environment, playing loud music or lighting a scented candle is frowned upon.
    Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Goodrich leads all scorers with 39 points in the 106-98 loss at Chicago. 1972 — Wilt Chamberlain plays his last pro basketball game.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
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
Verb
  • Martin doodled on a yellow canvas, drawing women’s faces in an abstract style.
    Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Related article Starbucks baristas are already complaining about doodling on your cups Starbucks’ sales have slipped for four straight quarters, the longest decline in years.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 24 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Trifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trifle. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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