as in lightness
a lack of seriousness often at an improper time
the boys were scolded for joking during the funeral service, which was hardly the time for frivolity
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frivolity
To some, Trump’s argument for deploying the troops is undercut by the frivolity often on display outside the ICE facility.
—
Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 17 Oct. 2025
For the forgiving, these simulcasts have insights and frivolities each Monday.
—Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
All things tomato: The two-day Tomato Art Fest in East Nashville's Five Points saw a kaleidoscope of fun, frivolity – and plenty of fruits and veggies.
—Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Aug. 2025
Doris is practical, independent, and has no time for frivolities — and she’s passed those qualities onto her daughter Susan (Natalie Wood).
—Sezín Devi Koehler, EW.com, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for frivolity
Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 17 Oct. 2025
For the forgiving, these simulcasts have insights and frivolities each Monday.
—Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
All things tomato: The two-day Tomato Art Fest in East Nashville's Five Points saw a kaleidoscope of fun, frivolity – and plenty of fruits and veggies.
—Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Aug. 2025
Doris is practical, independent, and has no time for frivolities — and she’s passed those qualities onto her daughter Susan (Natalie Wood).
—Sezín Devi Koehler, EW.com, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for frivolity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frivolity
Noun
-
To assess the roots, carefully remove the plant from its pot and examine them for firmness, lightness, and suppleness.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
8 Jan. 2026
-
But with Rawayana, depth is always masked by lightness.—
Leonor C. Suárez,
Rolling Stone,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The show combines the world-building vibes of BoJack Horseman with the silliness of Bob’s Burgers, and tops the whole thing off with the musical stylings of a Crazy Ex-Girlfriend — all wrapped in family-friendly packaging.—
Will Harris,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
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Then came the commemorative T-shirts and hats and the horde of reporters around Saquon Barkley as the running back reflected on the silliness of this season.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
21 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Comments filled with glee and heart emojis, and viewers chimed in from Ireland and London, from Nigeria and Rwanda and Uganda, from Harlem and Arkansas.—
Sarah Hepola,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
His freewheeling political rallies and frothy social media presence were, and continue to be, a source of great glee to his fans and followers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As Milchick, Tillman infused an unnerving cheerfulness into Lumon Industries’ macrodata refinement supervisor, a character who became increasingly central in Season 2.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
15 Sep. 2025
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Her vivacious attitude connects her with Aries (Stacey’s actual birthday is April 3) due to her fearlessness and cheerfulness in situations, no matter what is thrown at her.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Making room for levity is, then, a way of admitting the human—not through the granular and intimate detail that lends Ferrante’s novels their power but through a broader concession to nature.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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Making room for levity is, then, a way of admitting the human—not through the granular and intimate detail that lends Ferrante’s novels their power but through a broader concession to nature.—
Lily Meyer,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This flippancy may have more than a little to do with the freediving community’s attitude toward Šobat’s breath-holding achievements.—
Sean Williams,
Outside,
27 Oct. 2025
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The flippancy with which these characters are made to bite the dust establishes the film’s combustible tone.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frivolity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frivolity. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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