trifle with
verb
trifled with; trifling with; trifles with
: to treat or deal with (someone or something) in a way that shows a lack of proper respect or seriousness
You shouldn't trifle with their feelings.
Examples of trifle with in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Top this rich trifle with a sprinkle of chocolate curls.
—
Patricia S York, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026
With country music’s explosion into the mainstream, Weekend 3 is no longer to be trifled with.
—Jesse Kirshbaum, SPIN, 10 Apr. 2026
But the military could not be trifled with.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Baseball is steeped in statistical tradition that, if trifled with, could impact what the vast majority of its fans still view as important.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Congress used to debate authorizing such things, but with the GOP House and Senate now reduced to glorified White House staff offices, Trump need not trifle with such annoyances.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
As a successful businesswoman and the wealthiest woman in Edgewater, Miranda is a woman who is not to be trifled with.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
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.
Patricia S York, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026
With country music’s explosion into the mainstream, Weekend 3 is no longer to be trifled with.
—Jesse Kirshbaum, SPIN, 10 Apr. 2026
But the military could not be trifled with.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Baseball is steeped in statistical tradition that, if trifled with, could impact what the vast majority of its fans still view as important.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Congress used to debate authorizing such things, but with the GOP House and Senate now reduced to glorified White House staff offices, Trump need not trifle with such annoyances.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
As a successful businesswoman and the wealthiest woman in Edgewater, Miranda is a woman who is not to be trifled with.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trifle with.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trifle%20with. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
