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
Much of Fleming’s delightful frivolity can be seen in their mishmashed resume.
—
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026
Comedies are often the also-rans; everyone wants to be taken seriously, and comedies—even the greatest of them, by the likes of Hawks, Preston Sturges, or Billy Wilder—are frequently treated as a frivolity.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Credit cards are not tools of frivolity.
—Matthew Kandrach, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Anya’s friends were the ones headed for the East Coast, some even to Ivy League schools, eager to leave behind the frivolity of Los Angeles.
—Nell Freudenberger, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frivolity
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026
Comedies are often the also-rans; everyone wants to be taken seriously, and comedies—even the greatest of them, by the likes of Hawks, Preston Sturges, or Billy Wilder—are frequently treated as a frivolity.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Credit cards are not tools of frivolity.
—Matthew Kandrach, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Anya’s friends were the ones headed for the East Coast, some even to Ivy League schools, eager to leave behind the frivolity of Los Angeles.
—Nell Freudenberger, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frivolity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frivolity
Noun
-
The structure brings visitors below ground, from lightness to darkness, with sounds slowly dissipating.—
Solvej Schou,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
-
The process is long and excruciating, said Oceguera, but they’re just left with the essence of pineapple and coconut that’s carbonated a little for lightness on your tongue.—
Louisa Kung Liu Chu,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Commentors, of course, had a mixed bag of reactions, ranging from arguing that Kelce is the Duchess of Delco to criticizing the governor's silliness.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Yet there’s wisdom amid the silliness, as the story gently makes a case for the necessity of grief, mindfulness and mortal awareness, even in a life otherwise unburdened by adult human responsibility.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Friends including Whitney Cummings, Kaitlyn Dever, Ben Platt, Olivia Wilde, Uzo Aduba, Joey King and Monica Lewinsky chimed in with glee in comments on the joint post.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
-
Managers attacking journalists usually ends one way, and, predictably, Bild spent the rest of the weekend reporting with glee on Frankfurt’s defeat and poor form.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Half critic, half concierge, Edwards’ round-ups are generally distinguished by a cheerfulness.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
-
As a teen-ager listening to folk music in London pubs, I’d been attracted to the instrument’s nimble, tinkling cheerfulness, its being on the margins, not too demanding, perhaps.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Despite the levity, the sheriff’s office really did get some calls from concerned residents, Zuchowski says.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
-
This song is meant to add levity to the series and also introduce us to this ridiculous character whose only purpose is to be the bane of Mabel’s existence for the season.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Let effort speak louder than frivolousness.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Spaar’s colloquial flippancies only reinforces her fervency.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, the unironic, light-hearted rom-com has been replaced with cynicism and flippancy.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frivolity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frivolity. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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