footling 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfü-tᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce footling (audio)
Definition of footlingnext
as in nominal
so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention the assistant's job was to shield the president from such footling problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

footling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of footle
as in dawdling
to spend time doing nothing spent the morning footling about while others were working

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 footling
Adjective
By comparison with previous Establishment Clause cases, however, this lawsuit looked footling and rather mean. — Barton Swaim, WSJ, 21 June 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for footling
  1. nominal
  2. dawdling
  3. slight
  4. loafing
  5. piddling
  6. strolling
  7. petty
  8. idling
Adjective
  • Rather than source a direct, probably expensive, replacement in the market, Carrick fielded a fluid front four on Saturday, with Bryan Mbeumo deputising as the nominal forward.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • United Russia, the country’s nominal ruling party, was never built to designate an heir; rather, it was meant to ensure that elections produced reliably pro-regime seat-fillers in institutions such as parliament.
    — Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of nominal
Verb
  • Indeed, Ederson has moments where he can be caught dawdling with the ball, hoping for an opening that doesn’t always arrive.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 June 2026
  • Further, there’s no excuse for Congress to continue dawdling on farm policy.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
Definition of dawdling
Adjective
  • Nashville was a slight favorite at kickoff, but Miami fielded a stellar starting lineup that included Sergio Reguilón, Casemiro, Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suárez and Messi.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • At the slightest security alert, every point along the route can be brought to a standstill.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of slight
Verb
  • Kids who used to run to the field excited to play, suddenly started loafing to the field wearing their crocs with their heads buried in their phones.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
  • The pair had been loafing for some time among a grove of apple trees on a private residence in Payson.
    — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Definition of loafing
Adjective
  • Then, the pandemic reduced the schedule to 60 games and Eddie got a piddling 37%.
    — Star Tribune, Star Tribune, 3 Dec. 2020
  • Millions of additional claims are expected to stream in from around the country over the coming weeks, while hiring remains piddling.
    — Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2020
Definition of piddling
Verb
  • There’s a nice localised touch via a railway footbridge on the approach depicting the highs of Southampton’s football history and the delights of the city centre, particularly Oxford Street, can be enjoyed before strolling on to the match.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • After virtually strolling through City in Belmira’s video model, some of its mysterious puzzle pieces do, gratifyingly, start to come together.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of strolling
Adjective
  • And yet the office—its smells and politics, its grievances petty, existential, or edifying—must have made an impression.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Look no further for a wake up call than these three actors representing House Hightower, powerful and imposing in their own right, but just as catty and petty as the Lannisters at the end of the day.
    — Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of petty
Verb
  • A couple blocks away there are at least nine police cars, parked, idling.
    — Sydney Brownstone, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Effects of laws against idling In short, anti-idling laws target potentially severe pollution health risks from what is generally a wasteful practice of convenience.
    — Richard Marcantonio, The Conversation, 31 July 2026
Definition of idling

Browse Nearby Words

footlights
footling
footlocker
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Cite this Entry

“Footling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/footling. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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