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
And to be brought here to discover the one-night-only production of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, directed by Rob Ashford for the Tangiers Charity Plays—as well as all manner of attendant frivolities—is the icing on the cake.
—
Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 18 July 2025
This grand vision opposes fanboy frivolity, which is the basis of Gunn’s commercialized version.
—Armond White, National Review, 11 July 2025
There was fun and frivolity — and, at times, even a little shade.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 4 July 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
Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 18 July 2025
This grand vision opposes fanboy frivolity, which is the basis of Gunn’s commercialized version.
—Armond White, National Review, 11 July 2025
There was fun and frivolity — and, at times, even a little shade.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 4 July 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
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Yet in others, there’s the lightness of an untouched base.—
Grace Edquist,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
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Hemmerle is known for its sculptural designs fused with technical ingenuity, often using unexpected metals—like copper, bronze, and aluminum—to achieve distinct tones and lightness.—
Jill Newman,
Robb Report,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That youthful connection continued through other hosts who took over NBC's Late Night franchise, from the serious silliness of Conan O'Brien to the hard-partying glad-handing of Jimmy Fallon.—
Eric Deggans,
NPR,
13 Oct. 2025
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More than anything, even amid the silliness and absurdities of the medical emergencies, the show’s feel-good moments, which involve people being saved and others working together, depict a deep humanity.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That boyish glee was evident again Monday against Utah.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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The Windy City rivalry made its way to the Vatican when Pope Leo XIV, a White Sox fan, seemed to take some glee from the Chicago Cubs' playoff elimination.—
Christian Orozco,
NBC news,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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Need to drop a levity bomb in the middle of a group of pretentious characters?—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
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As played by Chernus, Gacy is a disturbing mixture of hard and soft, sometimes icy and terrifying but frequently offering the closest thing to levity in the series.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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We’ve all been cast adrift in the cognitive dissonance between the visceral seriousness of the crime and the abject flippancy of the shooter, the brutality of the shooting and the memes reacting to Kirk’s bigoted views.—
Raven Smith,
Vogue,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frivolity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frivolity. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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