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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Recent Examples of frivolity
Their needs are too great to waste any more time on frivolities such as sales-tax breaks on gun sales or concert tickets or the governor’s never-ending fixation on drag queens.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
The media’s historical focus on higher-profile candidates and outsiders may reflect not press frivolity but rather genuine shifts in voter sentiment during periods of discontent with conventional politicians and established governance approaches.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2026
Sending up the no-stakes frivolity of progressive Reform Judaism, characters played by Seth Rogen and Kate Berlant get some insight-free chuckles.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
The protagonist’s diabolical plot is fuelled by an unmanageable tangle of emotions, including raging jealousy, mercenary self-interest, and resentment of Eileen’s professional and intellectual accomplishments, which sparks shame at her own cosseted frivolity.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frivolity
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
The media’s historical focus on higher-profile candidates and outsiders may reflect not press frivolity but rather genuine shifts in voter sentiment during periods of discontent with conventional politicians and established governance approaches.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2026
Sending up the no-stakes frivolity of progressive Reform Judaism, characters played by Seth Rogen and Kate Berlant get some insight-free chuckles.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
The protagonist’s diabolical plot is fuelled by an unmanageable tangle of emotions, including raging jealousy, mercenary self-interest, and resentment of Eileen’s professional and intellectual accomplishments, which sparks shame at her own cosseted frivolity.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frivolity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frivolity
Noun
-
This type of footwear brings a sense of lightness to any outfit and works especially well with granny shorts in light colors or soft prints, like a trendy polka-dot or floral design.—
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
-
That may not sound like much in the modern age of Toyota Camrys having more than 300 horsepower, but the Seven makes up for it in lightness, weighing well under one ton.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Various clips are making the rounds on social media where Chiefs fans are enjoying seeing Jones’ latest silliness.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
-
This time round, though, an unfortunate silliness sometimes creeps in, where the film risks tipping over Shakespearean-size emotions into embarrassing bathos.—
Miriam Balanescu,
IndieWire,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On The Late Show, Stephen Colbert could not contain his glee.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The former Nuggets guard danced around Ball Arena with glee throughout a 6-for-7 shooting game and was even bold enough to confront 7-footer Jonas Valanciunas after taking exception to a foul.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
His cheerfulness and laughter often brought strength and refreshment to me in difficult times.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Raines replied, her usual cheerfulness stepping up a notch.—
Rebecca Boone,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As an integral member of the central friend group, Gooding brings levity and charm to the gory slasher.—
Juliana Ukiomogbe,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
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Perhaps most importantly, Berger insists that formalist approaches and levity are just as capable of probing religious and sociological subjects as narrative inquiries.—
Theo Belci,
Artforum,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Crucial here is that the markets confirm the flippancy found in the previous question, and much more importantly, would have confirmed it then if anyone had been asking.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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The flippancy of the title evokes the internet as Purgatory.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
18 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frivolity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frivolity. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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